FRIDAY 22ND MARCH 2019

Emefiele Foresees Three Per cent GDP Growth Rate in 2019 CBN to maintain tight monetary policy

Nume Ekeghe The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, yesterday projected that the Nigerian economy

would grow by three per cent in 2019, higher than the 1.93 per cent it achieved in 2018.

Emefiele also said the central bank would continue to maintain a tight monetary

Enelamah seeks more tax compliance

policy stance to rein in inflation which he said was expected to rise to 12 per cent in the course of the year before moderating.

This is coming as the

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, has called for higher tax compliance in the country, stressing that in order to stimulate economic

growth, all hands must be on deck to support the policies of government through partnership.

The CBN governor spoke while setting the post-election

agenda for monetary policy, at the BusinessDay Post Election Outlook Conference in Lagos.

The Monetary Policy Continued on page 10

FG, NLNG to Sign $1bn Nigerian Content Deal on Train 7... Page 11 Friday 22 March, 2019 Vol 24. No 8747. Price: N250

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Rivers Gov Poll Results Tally Resumes April 2 Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Adedayo Akinwale and Alex Enumah in Abuja

A DAY FOR POETRY… L-R: Executive Director, ProvidusBank, Mr. Kingsley Aigbokhaevbo; Managing Director & CEO, Mr. Walter Akpani; Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka; former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; Mrs. Folake Soyinka; Sir Newton Jibunoh; and Public Affairs Officer, United States Consulate, Mr. Russel Brookes, during the World Poetry Day organised by ProvidusBank in Lagos…yesterday

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said collation and announcement of gubernatorial election results in Rivers State would take place between April 2 and 5.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has, however, expressed concern over what it described as the inconsistency and unpredictability of the electoral body, saying the Continued on page 10

As FG Closes Case, Onnoghen to Make No-case Submission Account officer’s testimonies show CJN does not have speculated fat balances Says he took $500,000 bank loan, has only $56,878 in domiciliary account

The trial of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, appears to be reaching an anti-climax with key prosecution witnesses’ testimony contradicting claims that the embattled number one judicial officer might have corruptly amassed wealth

way out of his income.

Subsequently, the federal government abruptly closed its case yesterday and the prosecution, according to

THISDAY sources, are ready to bury the matter with a no case submission.

“The prosecution’s case has crumbled and we have nothing

to defend,” a senior silk in Onnoghen’s legal team told THISDAY last night.

Onnoghen is facing a sixcount charge bordering on

incomplete asset declaration.

Media reports, particularly in the social media, apparently promoted by the federal government, had speculated

DHQ: Military Won't Truncate Democracy...

… Page 10

that the CJN had fat foreign currencies based accounts and scores of houses undeclared as required by law.

Following arraignment and a contentious ex parte order by the Code of Conduct Tribunal Continued on page 11

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NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 57th Annual General Meeting of United Bank for Africa Plc will hold at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Plot 1415, Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos State on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 10:00AM to transact the following business: ORDINARY BUSINESS 1. To receive the audited Accounts for the year ended December 31, 2018 together with the reports of the Directors, Auditors and the Audit Committee thereon 2. To declare a dividend 3. To elect/re-elect Directors 4. To authorise the Directors to fix the remuneration of the Auditors 5. To elect members of the Audit Committee NOTES 1. Proxy A member entitled to attend and vote at the General Meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his/her stead. A proxy need not be a member of the Company. To be valid, a proxy form must be duly stamped at the Stamp Duties office and returned to the Registrar, Africa Prudential Plc, 220B Ikorodu Road, Palmgrove, Lagos, Nigeria, not less than 48 hours prior to the time of the meeting.

2. Dividend Payment If the dividend recommended by the Directors is approved, dividend will be paid electronically on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 to all shareholders whose names are registered in the Company’s Register of Members as at the close of business on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, and who have completed the e-dividend registration and have mandated the Registrar to pay dividend directly into their bank accounts.

3. Closure of Register of Members The Register of Members will be closed between Wednesday, April 3, 2019 and Tuesday, April 9, 2019, for the purpose of paying dividend.

4. Biographical Details of Directors for Election/Re-election Biographical details of Directors seeking election/re-election are provided in the Annual Report.

5. Questions from Shareholders Shareholders and other holders of the Company’s securities reserve the right to ask questions not only at the meeting, but also in writing prior to and after the meeting on any item contained in the Annual Reports and Accounts. Please send questions to investorrelations@ubagroup.com.

6. Audit Committee The Audit Committee consists of three shareholders and three Directors. Any member may nominate a shareholder as a member of the Audit Committee by giving notice in writing of such nomination to the Secretary of the Company at least twenty-one days before the Annual General Meeting. The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Code of Corporate Governance provides that members of the Audit Committee should have basic financial literacy and should be able to read financial statements. We therefore request that nominations be accompanied by a copy of the nominee’s curriculum vitae.

Dated this 20th day of March, 2019.

By Order of the Board.

Bili A. Odum Group Company Secretary 57 Marina, Lagos FRC/2013/NBA/00000001954

Mali

Africa www.ubagroup.com

Africa’s Global Bank

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PAGE TEN

DHQ: Military Won't Truncate Democracy Police, army order probe of collation centre clash against interference in extra elections Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Following reactions arising from its conduct in the just concluded general elections and militarisation of some parts of the country, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday assured Nigerians that the military would not truncate democracy, saying it is fully subordinated to civil authority.

This came as the army and the police jointly launched an

investigation into the Rivers State collation center clash between personnel of the two services.

And as the nation prepares for Saturday’s extra elections, the military high command warned mischief makers against interference with the elections in some parts of the country.

At a press conference addressed jointly by spokespersons of the Defence Headquarters, Police, Army, Navy and Air Force in Abuja,

the Defence spokesman, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said contrary to insinuations in some quarters, the military would not truncate Nigeria's fledgling democracy.

"Some people have made comments about the military truncating democracy. It is weird and very unfortunate.

This is the same armed forces that restored democracy in Sierra Leone, Liberia and recently, Gambia.

"The Armed Forces of Nigeria is fully subordinated

Warns mischief makers

to civil authority. At all times, we ensure that we don't cross the red line. We know our role in a democracy," he said.

On the altercation between the army and police at the election collation center in Rivers State, he said the leadership of both agencies were working together to find a lasting solution.

Speaking earlier, Force Public Relations Officer and Assistant Commissioner of Police, (ACP), Frank Mba, said the military and police

high command had ordered an investigation into the incidents while some video footages that circulated on social media during the election were being analysed.

He said a total of 1,119 suspects were arrested for electoral infractions during the period.

The Force Public Relations Officer said 796 suspects were arrested during the governorship and state House of Assembly polls, noting that

256 were picked up in Akwa Ibom, 117 from Imo State and 109 from Kaduna State.

Mba said some of the suspects were handed over to the police by the military.

On tomorrow's supplementary elections, he warned mischief makers to desist from disrupting the election.

"Any person who tries to disrupt the election would be made to face the full wrath of the law," he said.

take place in Port Harcourt.

The venue for this particular activity will be agreed upon within the commission and the critical stakeholders in the electoral process. “Then, on April 13, there will be supplementary elections where necessary then thereafter there will be an announcement of all rests between April 13 and 15, 2019. And then April 19, 2019 will be the date for the issuance of all outstanding certificates of return in relation to all these activities of election.�

Okoye revealed that supplementary elections would be conducted in 13 states of the federation tomorrow.

He explained that the process has a constitutional window which must be completed by April 29.

Okoye clarified: “There are two issues in Bauchi, one INEC says there are Polling Units and Registration Areas (RAs) result of Tafawa Balewa LGA. Collation of governorship election for seven out of 11 have already been collated and in the public domain before the disruption. “Our position is that we have the original results of some of those registration areas and the duplicate of others and that the issue of going back to conduct fresh elections does

not arise in the Tafawa Balewa LGA. It is based on the same principle that we declared the results of elections for the state constituency and the winners have emerged and have been returned. “If at the end of the day the court says you cannot collate result, go back and conduct election, of course we will obey and conduct fresh elections. If at the end of the day, court says for the entire Tafawa Balewa LG, enter zero vote of course we will enter zero vote and announce the winner. “The truth of the matter is that this process has a constitutional window. We must complete the processes related to this governorship election and this whole election before the April 29, 2019. Anything outside that will fall out of the constitution order and will become a constitutional crisis. So, the people of Bauchi must know who their governor is on or before April 29.�

On Adamawa, the national commissioner said the State High Court issued an injunction restraining the commission from proceeding with the supplementary election, adding that while the commission has also complied with the order, it has equally taken steps to vacate this and dismiss the

action.

On Imo West senatorial district which the governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha contested, he said that the decision of the commission could only be upturned by a court of law.

Okoye added that the position of the commission is that it would not issue Certificate of Return to Okorocha in relation to the senatorial election.

He stressed that since the governor has taken the matter to court, it would be more prudent and more rational to wait for the outcome of the matter he has filed in court before the commission would make any further comment. “We also have a pending issue relating to Oju/Obi Federal Constituency in Benue State, where we declined to issue a Certificate of Return to the person that was declared as the winner on grounds that the certificate of return was procured under duress and there is also another one in Akwa Ibom State, there was another one in Angaye in Niger State, and I can’t remember the exact constituency in AkwaIbom. “There are four of such cases

need to focus on growing revenue as a government, six, seven or eight per cent of GDP is not good enough.

In my view if we all chose to pay our taxes or handle the tax issue in a way that was more effective, we will be better. “The people who should be paying taxes are not paying.

Most of us are not paying. The ones that are paying are the companies or the ones that are on our records. I do think that there are many strategies that can be used to improve tax collection and improve the social contract between the government and taxpayers and the government is looking at that and I think we would see better results. “If you look at other countries, whether developed or developing countries, everybody is in double digit in terms of tax revenue collection to GDP, Nigeria is still doing single digit and there is no explanation that would suffice. “In Nigeria we say government has been providing infrastructure why should we be paying taxes. Well I think we need

a new social contract, if we are building infrastructure, we should be paying taxes,� the minister said.

RIVERS GOV POLL RESULTS TALLY RESUMES APRIL 2 commission lacks standard approach in resolving issues arising from the disruptions in electoral process.

For the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), its concern yesterday was its discovery of alleged clandestine security meeting between the presidency and certain top officials of INEC and security agencies aimed at hijacking tomorrow’s governorship supplementary elections.

The commission had on March 10, 2019, suspended all electoral processes in Rivers State, having discovered that there was widespread disruption of collation of results of the elections conducted on March 9, following the invasion of the collation centre in Port Harcourt by soldiers.

The electoral body had set up a Fact-Finding Committee to assess the situation and report back within 48 hours.

The committee later established that the governorship and state assembly elections in the state took place in most of the polling units and results were announced.

The committee also established that the results from 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) out of 23 LGAs in the state were available in the commission’s custody.

It also noted that the declaration and returns for 21 state constituencies out of 32 were made prior to the suspension.

The electoral body, therefore, assured that it would issue detailed timelines and activities for the completion of the election on March 20, 2019.

However, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Festus Okoye, while addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja, said that the Certificates of Return for the governors-elect would be presented by supervising National Commissioners of the respective states between March 27 and 29, 2019.

He said that the precise date for the presentation in each state would be made known by the respective Resident Electoral Commissioners after consultation with their supervising national commissioners.

Giving further insight on Rivers, Okoye stated: “Following the violent disruption of the electoral process in Rivers State during the governorship and National Assembly elections, the commission has outlined activities and timelines of resumption and conclusion of the process. The timelines

for the activities are as follows: “On March 19, 2019, the commission will have some engagement with security agencies in relation to some of these supplementary elections and also in relation to the elections in Rivers State. That one has already been concluded. “On March 29, the commission will hold what we call the Inter Agency Consultative Committee meeting on security. This will take place in Rivers State. Then there after on March 30, 2019 in Port Harcourt, there will be a meeting of critical stakeholders in the electoral process. “Thereafter the commission will issue guidelines for resumption of collation of results and these guidelines will be issued from the headquarters of the commission here in Abuja. “We are also going to have what we call the revalidation of polling agents and observers for collation of results. This revalidation will commence on March 25, and end on March 31, 2019 and it will take place simultaneously in Rivers and Abuja. “Then, thereafter there will be resumption of collation and announcement of result and this will take place between April 2 and 5, 2019 and it will

Continued on page 11

EMEFIELE FORESEES THREE PER CENT GDP GROWTH RATE IN 2019 Committee of the CBN which is expected to meet next week, has left the benchmark interest rate at 14 per cent since 2016.

Speaking further, the CBN governor expressed optimism that the Nigerian economy post-May 2019, would witness positive growth that would help in reducing the current level of unemployment in the country.

He, however, noted that the apex bank would adjust the policy rate in line with unfolding conditions and outlook. Inflation figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed a moderate decline in the Consumer Price Index in February to 11.31 per cent.

While basing the inflationary projection on productivity gains in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, he anticipated that the GDP would pick up in the first half of the year, owing largely to continued efforts at driving indigenous production in highimpact real sector activities.

On the exchange rate policy, he said the apex bank, in spite of expected pressure from the volatility in the crude

oil markets, would maintain its stable exchange rate over the next year.

According to him, “gross stability is projected in the foreign exchange market, given increased oil production and contained import bill.�

Emefiele expressed optimism that the country’s Balance of Payments would remain positive in the shortterm, adding that the current account balance could improve further if oil prices continued to recover.

He noted that this would be, “supported by improved non-oil performance as diversification efforts begin to yield results to reduce undue imports.�

While warning that the issues that led to the economic crisis between 2015 and 2017 remained visible, Emefiele stressed the need to increase the country’s policy buffers, including fiscal measure, to increase its external reserve.

He also reiterated the need to diversify the revenue structure of the federal government, in order to reduce dependence on direct proceeds from the sale of crude oil.

Furthermore, he advised that cheap financing be provided to boost local production of priority goods in critical sectors of the economy in order to reduce reliance on foreign imports.

Emefiele, who also used the platform to highlight efforts made by the CBN in the past five years in monetary policy and development finance, disclosed that the weakening of the naira impacted the balance sheets of domestic banks. However, he said the Bank took measures such as monitoring the financial position and performance of supervised institutions and the assessment of the risk profile and governance management practices of banks, to guarantee financial stability.

He listed other efforts carried out by the bank to ensure financial system stability and the promotion of sustainable economic development to include the establishment of the investors and exporters’ window; conservation of foreign exchange through the restriction of access to foreign exchange on 43 items;

and increased lending to the agricultural and manufacturing sectors.

The governor, while soliciting continued support of policy measures that restrict import of items that could be produced in Nigeria as well as increased penalty for smuggling of restricted items in Nigeria, expressed optimism that the Nigerian economy in post-May 2019 would witness growth and reduced unemployment.

Enelamah Seeks Increased Tax Compliance On his part, Enelamah noted that in order to stimulate economic growth, all hands must be on deck to support the policies of government through partnership.

He also called for a higher tax compliance in the country.

According to him, the government was already taking steps to ensure that it generates enough revenue outside oil to ensure growth and development, adding that it requires the cooperation of the citizens. “There is no doubt that we

TOP GAINERS SOVERINSURE IKEJHOTEL AIICO ETERNAL MUTUALBENEFITS TOP LOSERS CHAMPBREW ABCTRANS CHIPLC

NGN NGN % 0.02 0.22 10.0 0.15 1.71 9.6 0.06 0.71 9.2 0.40 4.80 9.0 0.02 0.24 9.0 NGN % 0.15 1.40 9.6 0.05 0.49 9.2 0.02 0.27 6.9 ROYALEXCHANGE 0.02 0.29 6.4 SEPLAT 31.60 550.00 5.4 HPE Nestle Nig Plc â‚Ś1,500.00 Volume: 250.029 million shares Value: â‚Ś2.431 billion Deals: 3,869 As at yesterday 21/3/19 See details on Page 43

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NEWS

FG, NLNG to Sign $1bn Nigerian Content Deal on Train 7 Ejiofor Alike Hope has rekindled for the actualisation of the Train 7 of the Nigerian LNG Limited as the federal government and the shareholders of the gasprocessing and liquefaction company will today in Abuja, sign the Nigerian Content Plan (NCP) worth $1 billion for the project, which has been on the drawing board for 12 years.

NLNG currently has six trains capable of producing 22 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of LNG, and five MTPA of Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs), that is Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or cooking gas, and condensate - from 3.5 billion standard cubic feet per day

(Bcf/d) of natural gas intake.

The construction of $7 billion seventh train to complement the existing six- train structure, will up the company's total production capacity to 30 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of LNG and restore Nigeria’s position as a major LNG supplier, which had once accounted for 10 per cent of global supplies.

THISDAY gathered that the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote and the Managing Director of NLNG, Mr. Tony Attah met at the NCDMB’s headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, yesterday and finalised arrangements for today’s signing ceremony.

The Shell-run company

Minister of State Petroleum, IbeKachukwu

for

has the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) with 49 per cent

stake; Shell Gas B.V (SGBV), 25.6 per cent; Total Gaz Electricite Holdings France, 15 per cent stake; and Eni International (N.A) N.V.S.a.r.l, with 10.4 per cent stake, as shareholders.

Train 7 project is expected to ramp up NLNG’s production capacity by 35 per cent.

According to a source at NCDMB, the Nigerian Content Plan sets out the work scopes to be executed by Nigerian facilities and manpower in each project, based on the provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act and existing capacities. “The document would form the operating guide for project execution and monitoring. It would also

aid the maximisation of Nigerian content deliverables in the project, by giving first consideration to indigenous goods, services and human resources, as well as opportunities to Nigerian companies. “Under the Nigerian Content Plan for Train 7, the NCDMB introduced a provision that would ensure that a lead EPC bidder that has built capacity in-country is not disadvantaged with regards to cost,� the source explained.

The source added that the overall scope of work on the Train 7 project includes in-country and out-of country work, including the “design, engineering, procurement, expediting,

transportation, management, construction, installation, pre-commissioning and start up support and acceptance testing of an expansion to the existing NLNG facility. “ According to the source, the timely finalisation of the NCP is a key outcome of the Service Level Agreement (SLA) the Board signed with the NLNG in May 2017.The SLA committed the two organisations to timely approvals and compliance with the Nigerian Content.

It was also gathered that the scheduled signing of the NCP is expected to enable timeous execution of other activities that would culminate to the planned issuing of tenders in the third quarter of 2019.

was $56,878.�

The witness said she met the defendant once in 2015 as a Relationship Manager.

Under cross-examination by Onnoghen's lawyer, Okeagbue said that the five accounts are domiciled in the Wuse branch in Abuja and that Onnoghen never made any foreign transfer from the accounts.

She also confirmed that the five accounts have one Bank Verification Number (BVN).

The witness however admitted that Onnoghen has a facility of $500,000 as at January 2019 with the bank secured by his investment in bonds and other investment.

She further admitted that Onnoghen as a discipline account holder, was encouraged by bank to invest in profit -yielding investment with the interest in the investment regularly credited to his account, adding that the bank made investment on Onnoghen's behalf from his account.

Earlier, the second prosecution witness, Mr. Awal Yakassai, under crossexamination admitted that two assets declaration forms submitted by Onnoghen three

years ago have till date not been verified.

Yakassai, a retired director of the CCB, when his attention was drawn to the column for remarks, admitted that no comment was made on the verification column indicating that the forms have not been verified.

Answering a question, Yakassai further confirmed from the forms that Onnoghen has only five houses contrary to allegation of 55. One of the houses was said to have been sold to him by the federal government.

However, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Aliyu Umar (SAN), yesterday announced that the prosecution was closing its case shortly after the defendant finished cross-examination of Okeagbue.

The prosecution in its application for the trial had said it would be calling six witnesses to prove its case against Onnoghen.

However, at the end of cross-examination, the lead prosecution counsel said though they initially listed six witnesses for the trial, however, it would not be calling on the

remaining three, adding that he was offering them to the defence for cross-examination if they so wished.

But counsel to the defendant, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), said the defence does not need the witnesses, adding that the prosecution can go ahead to close its case.

Shortly after the prosecution announced the closure of its case, Awomolo informed the tribunal of its intention to invoke section 303 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

He pleaded with the tribunal to allow him prepare a written address and urged the chairman to order the registry to make record of proceedings available to him to guide him in the written address.

The prosecution did not object to the application, prompting the tribunal chairman, Umar to make an order on the registry to avail parties in the matter with the record of proceedings.

He also ordered that the record must be made available to the parties on Monday and adjourned hearing in the nocase submission to March 29.

Nigerians in their government subscribe to their cruelty, resort to violence as well as suppression of votes.

Ologbondiyan stated: “The PDP, therefore, in an unequivocal terms, cautions the APC and agents of the Buhari’s presidency to know that Nigerians will never be intimidated but will confront and crush any oppressive force that attempts to defy and subvert their will at the supplementary polls. “We also have details of how a top military officer, who is from Bauchi State, at the meeting directed INEC chairman not to declare our victorious Bauchi State governorship candidate, Senator Bala Mohammed, as the winner of the Bauchi State governorship election. “The PDP is also privy to how a director of one of our security agencies, who was at the meeting, undertook to use his agency to deliver Kano State to the APC. “Consequent upon this ignoble plot, the security meeting has directed the deployment of 30 DSS personnel and 300 mobile policemen to each of the states where supplementary elections have

been scheduled with a standing instruction to take over these respective states and make effort to ambush the process, seeing that the PDP is bound to win.�

The PDP reminded the military that Nigerians would not hesitate to treat individuals in military uniform, who is illegally involved in the supplementary election, as fake soldiers, saying, “After all, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has declared that uniformed personnel, who helped APC to rig presidential election, were fake.�

hear the suit as challenged by INEC. The suit filed by the APC and its candidate, incumbent governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abubakar, is asking the court to determine whether INEC having declared the March 9 governorship election in Bauchi inconclusive, can on its own rescind the decison and go ahead to resume collation, concluding and declaring any person as winner of the election.

The plaintiffs through their counsel, Ahmed Raji SAN, are praying for an order of the court prohibiting INEC from resuming collation of result for an election that has been officially declared inconclusive by a returning officer.

But INEC in an objection challenged the powers of the court to dabble into a post election matter.

In a counter affidavit by INEC deposed to by one Hassan Adamu, a Higher Executive Officer, in its legal department, the electoral body insisted that the Federal High Court has no jurisdiction to dabble into a post-election litigation.

AS FG CLOSES CASE, ONNOGHEN TO MAKE NO-CASE SUBMISSION (CCT) headed by Mr. Danladi Umar, the CJN was suspended

by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In spite of a series of litigations challenging the constitutionality of the presidential action and jurisdiction of the tribunal, the trial commenced.

Yesterday, the prosecution closed its case with two of his star witnesses apparently failing to establish claims in the public domain that the CJN was a hefty account owner and massive property man.

The trial took a new twist as an official of Standard Chartered Bank, Ms. Ifeoma Okeagbue, confirmed to the tribunal that Onnoghen was granted a loan of $500,000 by the bank, as of January this year.

With the revelations in the proceedings, Onnoghen has moved to file a no-case submission, which will be heard on March 29.

The prosecution counsel, Mr. Aliyu Umar (SAN), immediately announced the closure of its case shortly after the defendant finished cross examination of Okeagbue.

The federal government

closed its case after calling three out of the six witnesses listed for the trial.

Okeagbue, who was testifying as the third prosecution witness in the trial of Onnoghen on charges of false and nondeclaration of assets, also confirmed that the loan was guaranteed by his investments in federal government’s bonds and shares, among others.

She said this while being cross-examined by the CJN’s lawyer, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN).

The witness, who had earlier said in her evidence-in-chief that Onnoghen had five accounts, confirmed that the ones in euro, dollar, and pound sterling were domiciliary accounts and not “foreign accounts,� as alleged.

Okeagbue in her evidencein-chief told the tribunal that Onnoghen maintains five different accounts with her bank in Abuja.

According to her, two of the accounts are naira accounts, one saving and the other current, while the remaining three in pounds, dollars and euro.

She disclosed that as December 2018, one of the naira

accounts has N2.6million while the other has N12.8million, the euro account as at December 2018, 10,187 euros, the pounds Sterling accounts as at December 2018, had 13,730 pounds and the dollar account as at January 2019 has $56, 878.

Reading from the statements of the accounts earlier admitted as exhibits, Okeagbue said, “On the account 5001062686, the opening balance in January 2018 was â‚Ź30,178.58. “As at December 2018, the balance was â‚Ź10,187.18. “On account 5001062693, at January 2018, it was with opening balance of N6,411,312.77. “At December 2018, the balance was N12,852,580.52. “On account 5001062679, the opening balance as at January 2018 was ÂŁ39,456.08 and by December 2018 the balance was ÂŁ13,730.70. “On account 0001062667, the opening balance as at January 2018 was N24,280,904 and as at December 2018, the balance was N2,656,019.21. “On account 0001062650, as of January 2018, the opening balance was $80,824.25, and

by January 2019, the balance

RIVERS GOV POLL RESULTS TALLY RESUMES APRIL 2 where the commission declined to issue certificate of return to the winners on the grounds that certificates were provided under duress. So, I think the commission has been consistent in relation to this matter.

APC Expresses Worry over Electoral Body’s Inconsistency, Unpredictability Meanwhile, the APC has expressed concern over what it described as lack of a standard approach by INEC in resolving issues arising from the disruptions in electoral process.

The party, which reacted to the decision of the electoral body to restart collation of the result of governorship and House of Assembly election in Rivers State and to conduct rerun poll in Bauchi State, told THISDAY yesterday that it was becoming worrisome that the commission's procedures are no longer consistent and predictable.

Speaking in an interview with THISDAY, the National Publicity Secretary of APC, Mallam Lanre Isa-Onilu, argued that the electoral umpire should allow known rules of the game to govern every step in the

electoral process.

On the issue of fixing of timetable for the inconclusive elections and the resumption of collation of results, Onilu said: "there must be a pattern to it but we are not following such pattern. There should be a pattern that everybody should understand that when this happens this will be the decision of INEC. We are not seeing so much consistency and if they are being guarded by guidelines, it should be clear to everybody on what the decisions of INEC will be".

The APC spokesman said the ruling party is as concerned as anyone else regarding the apparent lack of consistency in the decisions coming from INEC on the rescheduled elections.

"We have no benefit to drive from rigging of elections; the only time we can have maximum benefit is when we have a credible process because we have grassroots support.

But where you don't have patterns, you cannot predict what the next actions of INEC will be; it is difficult for us not to complain. So, we are as worried as any other person regarding this kind of actions we are getting from INEC. But like I said, we arew also very

careful because this is the ruling party and our actions will have very far-reaching impact. So, we try as much as possible not to appear to be putting INEC on the spot most of the time," he said PDP Alleges Plot to Rig Supplementary Elections But in a swift reaction, the PDP alleged that it uncovered clandestine security meeting between the presidency, certain top officials of INEC and security agencies aimed at hijacking tomorrow’s governorship supplementary elections.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, while addressing a press conference in Abuja, said that the party was informed of how a top army officer, at the meeting, directed the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, not to ever declare Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike as winner, even when it was clear to all that he won the election.

He added that the main opposition party has full information on every move by the APC to manipulate the electoral process as not all

Court Delivers Judgment on Bauchi Guber Poll Result, Monday Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja will on Monday decide if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can go ahead to collate and announce the governorship election results in Bauchi State.

Justice Ekwo fixed the date on Thursday, after counsel to parties in the suit adopted their final brief of argument in the matter.

The judge also held that on that same March 25, he would decide if he has jurisdiction to

Continued on page 50

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°Í°Ëœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

COMMENT

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

ITA FAAJI AND CULTURE OF‘NO CONSEQUENCE’

Caleb Adebayo writes that the Lagos State government should be held responsible for the collapsed building

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s is commonplace in Nigeria, we have again witnessed another avoidable tragedy that has claimed lives- including children- and left many heavy hearted. Ita Faaji was not the first of its kind, whether in Lagos or in Nigeria, or the first where children are losing their lives. In fact, one could easily read a news item from one of the earlier collapses and it will fit right into the story of Ita Faaji. Lagos, particularly, has become a hub for collapsed buildings. Between February and August alone last year, the state witnessed more than five building collapses, each with lives lost. Only less than a year ago, in Oke-Arin area and Olushi Street, Lagos Island, a three-storey and two-storey building respectively, collapsed. Word has not been heard on the resulting consequence or clamp down by the law on the perpetrators. The Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing has it that over 54 cases of collapsed buildings were recorded in 2017 across the country.

There is a long list of collapsed buildings in which the perpetrators have not been brought to book. The 2014 building collapse of the Synagogue Church of All Nations at Ikotun has quickly become a forgotten issue, a tragedy that had claimed over 100 lives. With a long-drawn case ongoing in court against the culprits, no one knows how soon-or if ever at all- justice will be in sight. The Lekki Gardens building collapse of 2016 also claimed at least 30 lives including a woman, her husband and their six-month old baby. Ebutte Metta happened in 2006; block of 36 flats housing about 180 people, after one had happened in the same vicinity in July 2013, killing a pregnant woman, a nursing mother, a one-year old baby, amongst others. In each case, the message from the state government has remained the same. The building was marked for demolition, yet it was still standing with inhabitants living and working there. That sounds something like a teenager coming crying to his mother that his three-year old sibling threw him a blow. A classic case of absolving responsibility; proof that the government has failed and continues to fail at its duty. If repeatedly, people can re-enter buildings that have been marked or sealed for demolition and continue to brazenly live there and do business there even when the result of such lifestyle has resulted in building collapses in the not-too distant past, then it is a statement to the whole world that we have a culture of ‘no consequence’, where nothing happens because of the singular fact that ‘this is Nigeria’.

We have little by little bred a culture where the culprit eventually walks free; where the only thing the government, clueless as it is, gives is what it knows how best to – condolences. If we did not have a culture of ‘no consequence’, Ita Faaji could have been avoided. For a building that showed clear marks of sag and structural default and had been marked

WE HAVE LITTLE BY LITTLE BRED A CULTURE WHERE THE CULPRIT EVENTUALLY WALKS FREE; WHERE THE ONLY THING THE GOVERNMENT GIVES IS WHAT IT KNOWS HOW BEST TO – CONDOLENCES

for demolition to be repainted and still standing, someone’s hand was greased, someone had done the greasing, and someone had turned a blind eye, caring less about the hundreds of lives the building housed, people who are supposed to believe in the power of the state to keep them safe. I say categorically that the Nigerian state is an expert at killing its own; adult and children alike. This impunity must stop, this lawlessness must give way, this culture of no consequence must come to an end. We need to stop hearing about long-drawn court cases, or the government looking into it, or worthless political statements and begin to see people being prosecuted for the loss of even a single life.

Perhaps the very little value placed on the Nigerian life again affects the disposition of our governments at various levels to incidents like this. Ita Faaji was a completely avoidable tragedy, but now it is what it is. A tragedy that has claimed the lives of our own.

Another election has come and gone, people who care nothing about the people they lead sit at the helm of affairs, ready for another four years of stuffing their pockets and foreign bank accounts, yet low cost housing is a myth in Nigeria. Rather than build low cost housing for a population that is the poorest in the world, the government sets up places like Eko Atlantic, building again and again for the rich, throwing out the poor, forcing them into shanties and poorly structured buildings. We celebrate in Lagos one of the world’s top five slums and not too far away sits the most expensive bourgeoise plots this side of the world- a ridiculous irony. Yet a large per cent of the population is stranded because they do not have where to stay. Is it too much for the Nigerian citizen to ask for a place to lay their head that they can afford? This too, points to a culture of ‘no consequence’. Since no one in government is touched by the arms of the law in any indictment on such building collapses (if any indictment at all), they have no reason to tremble while collecting that bribe or looking the other way or embezzling the housing fund or offering half-hearted condolences.

Rather than think of a way to accommodate residents and partner with the private sector to build affordable housing, the government sits by and watches while the poor, lower and middle income class struggle to stay afloat, willing to live in a death trap while praying every day for God to keep it standing one more day, because they really cannot afford anything else.

This culture of ‘no consequence’ must stop in Nigeria, and for Ita Faaji, we must see people brought to book. Ita Faaji is an open indictment on the Lagos State government and the Nigerian government, and the blood of those who died in it is on their hands.

Adebayo, a lawyer, wrote from Lagos

HOPE FOR CHILDREN SUFFERING FROM CANCER Mr. Kaviratne and his wife are making a difference in people’s lives, writes Rajendra K. Aneja

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ita is a cute nine-year-old girl from Ratnagiri district, in India. Her parents, Sakharam and Shaku are landless labourers who toil in the fields. They adore their firstborn child Sita. One day, suddenly Sita vomited blood. The local doctors advised taking her to Mumbai city.

Sita clutched her doll on the bus from Ratnagiri to Mumbai. After visits to municipal hospitals, they came to Tata Cancer Memorial Hospital. The doctors diagnosed that little Sita suffered from acute lymphoblastic cancer. She would need to stay in Mumbai for six months for treatment.

Her parents were mortified. First, their darling daughter had the dreaded cancer. Second, they were very poor. Third, they had no place to stay. What could they do, to save their daughter?

They dreaded living on the pavement near the hospital or at a railway station platform. They would have to search for a toilet every morning, eat some street food, sleep on concrete road, surrounded by beggars, miscreants or stray dogs.

Social workers advised them to visit a facility called, ‘St. Jude’, located at the Cancer Research Society. They trudged there, forlorn and on the verge of tears. There, a soft-spoken girl with kind eyes met them. Sita’s parents were amazed by the cleanliness and brightness of the place. After studying the case, the staff advised, “Yes, Sita and both of you can stay with us for six months.�

Sita’s parents, queried with trepidation, “What will it cost us to stay here?� The reply stunned them, “You do not have to pay anything!� Sakhram and Shaku could not believe their ears.

They were escorted to a spotlessly clean room. It had a bed for Sita, mattresses for them, a cupboard for clothes, towels and a cabinet for medicines.

There were clean bed sheets, curtains and even colourful toys for Sita. The walls were painted sunny yellow, bringing a bright cheer to the premises.

Sakharam and Shaku were flabbergasted by the massive kitchen. In the spotlessly clean room, there were 32 gas connections, with 32 small cupboards.

Shaku received a ‘starter-kit’, jars filled with rice, lentils, sugar, oil, biscuits, spices and even utensils

and soap. In the morning, when Sakharam would take Sita to the Hospital for treatment, Shaku could cook food for her family. The toilets and laundry areas were immaculately clean.

There were tears of gratitude in their eyes.

Over 5,000 children, like Sita, come to Mumbai annually, from almost everywhere, to get treated for cancer. Besides the medical remedy, they need to resolve homelessness, hunger, fear, trauma and restlessness. Most of the distressed parents are abysmally poor. The treatment is funded by NGOs, hospitals and private trusts. They have no money to pay for a place to stay. After the gruelling chemotherapy sessions, the children need a soft, warm bed, nutritious food, clean water and rest.

Instead, they sleep on stone pavements.

The St. Jude Centres house children below the age of 12, suffering from cancer, who have to receive protracted treatment but are homeless. Their parents are agricultural labourers, workshop workers and hawkers. Some have an income of just about Rs. 100 per day (USD 1 and 50 cents), when they do find work. They cannot afford the treatment and the stay at a hospital. St. Jude Centre, alleviates their suffering.

Kishore is a child of four years, from Patna in Bihar state, with a mischievous smile. His father Dev, works as a factory guard. Dev and his wife Manita, came to Mumbai to get Kishore treated for cancer. They have been staying at the St. Jude Centre for four months.

They get up at 6 am. Manita cooks breakfast for Kishore and Dev. Then they are driven to the Tata Hospital for treatment. The sessions are nerveracking for Dev. They return around 3 p.m. to St. Jude. Then Manita cooks a lunch of rice, lentils and vegetables for her family. Kishore sleeps. His parents also rest for a while.

When Kishore wakes up, he plays with the other children aged between four and 12, all suffering from cancer, hailing from villages in Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, etc.

The children do not speak each other’s languages, but the secret pathos of their illness and the trauma of daily treatment, bonds them. The staff at St. Jude

has a series of activities like painting, etc. to keep the children cheerful.

Dev, Manita and the other parents share experiences and provide solace to each other. The parents of the afflicted children have a lot to talk. They share and learn from each other, managing the agony of seeing their offspring ill, an exacting treatment, severe financial stress, meeting the emotional and psychological needs of the children. The centre provides them with the opportunity to vent their feelings and get strength from each other on how to cope living in a city, compared to the villages they came from. If the children are physically afflicted, many parents are emotionally wounded.

The parents also share the responsibility of keeping the premises clean, between them. At 6 p.m., the mothers retire to the kitchen to cook dinners for their families. Finally, it is lights out at 10:30 p.m. Tomorrow, chemotherapy starts again for many children. They must rest well at night.

The inspirations behind this laudable endeavour are Mr. Nihal Kaviratne and his wife Mrs. Shyama Kaviratne. Mr. Kaviratne worked for Unilever in senior roles across the globe and as Chairman of Indonesia. On his return to India, Mr. Kaviratne decided to dedicate his energies to meaningful social work, which would make a difference in the lives of people. St. Jude is his vision.

Mr. Kaviratne’s leadership in the corporate sector is evident in the management and processes of the Centre. St. Jude is managed like an excellent company. The first centre was perfected in activities and processes. These learnings were then manualised.

There are manuals on ‘Successfully Creating and Managing a Childcare Centre’, ‘Handbook for Patients’, ‘Operating Manual’. These are detailed and specific, covering admissions criteria, maintenance of centre, code of conduct, etc. Within the short span of four years, St. Jude has established seven centres, providing accommodation to children, battling cancer. Over 500 children and their parents have fought the dreaded ailment, with dignity and fortitude, through St. Jude.

Socially responsible corporations also participate.

The global CEO of Unilever Paul Polman was moved and participated. So was McKinsey & Company, which now contributes to the mission.

The number of Centres and rooms is still growing.

All of us lament the slow pace of infrastructure reforms, health benefits, medical services and growing corruption in India. However, talk and criticism do not resolve problems. Action does. As Dag Hammarskjold, a former Secretary-General United Nations, wrote in his brilliant autobiographical book, entitled, ‘Markings’ – “In our world the road to holiness necessarily passes through the world of action.�

St. Jude is a tribute to the philosophy of Mr. Kaviratne and his wife, who set out to make a difference, through action, not words. “Our philosophy� they say, “is to think big, start small and move fast.�

St. Jude thus provides a warm, clean home to homeless children suffering from cancer and to their parents. However, it provides much more. It provides a supportive community. The families open their hearts and derive strength from each other.

From being lonely and forlorn, the child and his or her family, receive nurturing relationships.

Surrounded by an abundance of affection and love, the children too, respond positively to the treatment at the hospital. They manage the daily round of painful chemotherapies, blood transfusions, with dignity and cheer.

When the children are cured, they go back home.

Many of the parents keep in touch with the staff of St. Jude, even after they have returned to their villages. They are touched forever; by the love and care they have received at St. Jude. Life will never be the same again for them. They have met hope.

Some children do not survive the illness. Their parents are heartbroken. The team at St. Jude who nurture the children suffer.

St. Jude does not just offer a place to stay for children afflicted with cancer. It offers a chance, to live life again. Beautifully.

Aneja is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School and was Managing Director of Unilever Tanzania. He is the author of a book, “Rural Marketing across Countries.�

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2019

EDITORIAL The Supplementary Elections The outcome should reflect the will of the people

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the rerun polls in the affected states to conduct itself with dignity and honour.

Principally, INEC must be objective and professional in determining the winners of the inconclusive governorship polls in these five states. It must ensure that its earlier directive, asking members of the armed forces to stay away during the exercise is upheld. It must also ensure that the elections are conducted in an atmosphere where voters can freely exercise their civic rights without any fear or favour.

It is noteworthy that the schedule of the rerun polls has been a subject of controversy as both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been trading damaging allegations. INEC must avoid the pitfalls of the previous polls by ensuring prompt arrival of both the electoral officers and materials at polling units while ensuring that the votes of the electorate coming out to queue a second time ultimately count.

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will tomorrow conduct supplementary elections in five states following the governorship election debacle of 9th March. The affected states are Benue, Plateau, Adamawa, Kano and Sokoto. Although with the rash of court cases, one is not exactly sure of whether some of these supplementary elections will hold as scheduled. Whatever the situation, the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has a responsibility to put a closure to the 2019 general election so that the process of review can commence.

As we have said on numerous occasions, the frequent supplementary elections in our context undermine the integrity of the democratic process by introducing gang-ups, intimidation, thuggery, and voter alienation. In the process, the initial verdict of the electorate is sometimes thwarted while an unpopular outcome is rigged into place. Therefore, the best way for INEC MUST BE INEC to restore OBJECTIVE AND the confidence of Nigerians is to avoid PROFESSIONAL constantly walking IN DETERMINING into technicalities THE WINNERS OF that render elections THE INCONCLUSIVE inconclusive and GOVERNORSHIP POLLS thus necessitating IN THE FIVE STATES supplementary polls. But we also understand the role of the security agencies on this score. That is why there is a need for a total overhaul of our electoral process.

But we are even more concerned about the sanctity of tomorrow’s polls in the affected states, especially given the desperation that we have seen in recent days. In many of such elections conducted

by INEC after the 2015 general election, the commission has continuously been dragged into the mud over failure to assert its independence and authority. We hope that the commission will use

S T H I S DAY EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI DEPUTY EDITOR DAVIDSON IRIEKPEN MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PATRICK EIMIUHI, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO

ince elections will be taking place in very few polling stations, INEC must ensure that the card readers work, the polls are devoid of rancour while the police and other relevant security agents should carry out their assignments professionally. The commission must also ensure quick counting of the votes at the polling units as soon as the elections are concluded, ensures results are announced in the presence of party men and women and in the end, the outcome of the polls reflect the will of the people.

The purpose of democracy is to afford the people the opportunity to choose their leaders and subsequently participate in the way they are governed.

The basic way this is done is through the ballot box.

While Nigeria is therefore anxious to enthrone a lasting democracy, great care needs to be taken to ensure that our variant does not end up enshrining the rule of violent mobs that vitiate public expectations and disappoint the rest of the world.

It is our hope that INEC will get it right tomorrow.

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IS ORGANISING PROTESTS NOW BIG BUSINESS?

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ou must understand that some things do not happen naturally here. Protests, in particular, are not organic or “an act of God”, at least not now; there is usually a “mighty hand” in the shadows pulling the strings.

Unlike in the past, when men of good conscience like Gani Fawehinmi, Wole Soyinka, Chima Ubani, Richard Akinnola and Femi Falana, led mass movements against tyranny on principle, protests here are now monetised and deployed to achieve the insular ends of the “backer”. In fact, they form the core part of planning for any political activity. And there is a handsome budget for them. For example, if a certain “big shot” senses that the EFCC dragnet is closing in, he finances a protest through “groups” to demand, ‘leave our daddy alone’; ‘EFCC go after other looters’.

I recall in May 2014 when a mercenary “civil society” group protested against the Bring-Back-Our-Girls group at the Unity Fountain in Abuja and sent in its thugs to disrupt the sit-in. I also recall other protests after 2014, solidarising with the government and demanding the expulsion of perceived enemies. The truth is, the government is the biggest enabler of fraudulent protests. And it is also the greatest danger to civil advocacy.

Have you wondered why some civil society groups that were ferocious before 2015 suddenly appear to have a canine extraction? Of course, you guessed right.

Really, some of these civil society groups survive on “protest money” and other largesse from politicians. As a matter of

fact, most of them are set up specifically for this purpose.

Sadly, organising protests is now a political strategy through which corrupt money flows to the gatekeepers of society.

Although this phenomenon is not new, it has metamorphosed into a grandiose and prodigal enterprise since 2012.

Organising protests has become a big business. You see a group organise a protest against a particular issue, and then hold another one in favour of it afterwards. It all depends on who is paying the bigger bucks.

Surprisingly, groups which claim to be non-partisan or politically neutral are bottom-deep in the business of organising protests for money. Recent allegations by Deji Adeyanju, a former stakeholder in the Our-Mumu-Don-Do group, against the honcho of the movement, accent this style of “chop, chop activism”.

Sometimes, being politically neutral or non-aligned is not about having integrity, but about protecting the belly so as to “chop” from both the good, the bad and the ugly.

However, the role of civil society groups cannot be obviated or diminished. There are still a good number of genuine groups. In fact, we owe our democracy to some activists and leaders of civic groups who even in the fiery furnace of Abacha stood like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Also, protests are an instrument for checking abusive governments.

This tool cannot be retired because of a few rotten eggs.

But the civil society must save itself from this moral declension. I think, it is time to self-regulate.

Fredrick Nwabufo,fredricknwabufo@yahoo.com

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT GORILLA

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an I take my emotional support Gorilla on a plane or train? I feel much safer as nobody picks on the little guy who has a pet Gorilla.

The recent refusal of an airline to allow a peacock as an emotional support animal has highlighted the use of animals to aid humans.

The use of support animals, especially guide dogs and now seizure dogs is almost universally accepted and they are welcome by both public acceptance and the law.

The few cafe owners that tried to ban guide dogs on the grounds of hygiene found that this was both illegal and improper.

The use of emotional support animals seems to be a more recent occurrence and is not so clear cut. To be considered the person has to have a disability that is certified by a medical authority. There seems to be no precise list of what animals are acceptable although snakes on a plane are more likely to only be in the films on the plane. There are people who won’t or can’t fly on planes for any number of reasons and it may be a time where the comfort of the many outweighs that of the individual.

In the old days emotional support was provided by valium and sleeping tablets which might still be the best option as toilet training a gorilla is quite difficult.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

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CONGRATULATIONS

Engr. Simbi Wabote ON AWARD OF FELLOWSHIP

dŚĞ DĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ ĂŶĚ ^ƚĂī ŽĨ W ŶĞƌŐLJ >ƚĚ͘ ŚĞĂƌƟůLJ ƌĞũŽŝĐĞ ǁŝƚŚ ŶŐƌ͘ ^ŝŵďŝ <͘ tĂďŽƚĞ͕ džĞĐƵƟǀĞ ^ĞĐƌĞƚĂƌLJ͕ EŝŐĞƌŝĂŶ ŽŶƚĞŶƚ ĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ĂŶĚ DŽŶŝƚŽƌŝŶŐ ŽĂƌĚ ;E D Ϳ ŽŶ ŚŝƐ ĂǁĂƌĚ ŽĨ &ĞůůŽǁ ďLJ ƚŚĞ EŝŐĞƌŝĂŶ ^ŽĐŝĞƚLJ ŽĨ ŶŐŝŶĞĞƌƐ ŽŶ ϮϮ DĂƌĐŚ ϮϬϭϵ͘ zŽƵƌ ŝŶǀĂůƵĂďůĞ ĐŽŶƚƌŝďƵƟŽŶƐ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ŶŐŝŶĞĞƌŝŶŐ ƉƌŽĨĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ EŝŐĞƌŝĂŶ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ŝŶĚƵƐƚƌLJ ĂƐ Ă ǁŚŽůĞ ŝƐ ŽƵƚƐƚĂŶĚŝŶŐ͘ dŚŝƐ ŝƐ ĂŶ ĂǁĂƌĚ ǁĞůů ĚĞƐĞƌǀĞĚ ĂŶĚ ǁĞ ĂƌĞ ŐůĂĚ ƚŽ ďĞ ĂƐƐŽĐŝĂƚĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚŝƐ ĂĐŚŝĞǀĞŵĞŶƚ͘

Signed: Daere Akobo, CEO, PE Energy Limited.

5 ) * 4 % ": t FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2019

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2019

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG

POLITICS

Email: nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com 08114495324 SMS ONLY

Unmasking the Antics of Senator Lawan

Saraki

Nasirudeen Elelu

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ith the National Assembly elections over and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in clear, though not absolute majority in the two chambers of the National Assembly, the next logical development that Nigerians expect is a smooth process of choosing the leaderships of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. This is imperative to avoid the sordid experience of the 8th Senate where the President and the ruling APC did not state what the power sharing formula was, thus making it unclear which zone was getting what position, particularly in the National Assembly.

Following to that glaring f a i l u re , n a m e s b e g a n t o d ro p , a s i s c u r re n t l y h a p p e n i n g , a b o u t who was suitable for what leadership position in the National A s s e m b l y. T h e re f o re , c e r t a i n individuals with unbridled ambition started jockeying for t h e p l u m j o b s o f S e n a t e P re s i dent and Speaker of the House o f R e p re s e n t a t i v e s . T h i s s a d s t a t e o f a ff a i r u l t i m a t e l y c re a t e d the incurable division in the rank of legislators, a disunion t h a t s u b s i s t s t i l l t o d a y, n o t w i t h standing the defection of Senate P re s i d e n t B u k o l a S a r a k i a n d his associates to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In the course of that state of u n c e r t a i n t y, w h i c h p re v a i l e d after the 2015 elections, some people, like a joke, started t h ro w i n g u p n a m e s o f p o s s i b l e occupants of the parliament’s t o p p o s t s . Wo r s e s t i l l , s o m e p e o p l e s t a r t e d d ro p p i n g P re s i dent Buhari’s name, claiming he

Lawan

had endorsed their ambition.

R e g re t t a b l y, w h a t i s c u r re n t l y h a p p e n i n g i s a re p l i c a o f w h a t w e w e n t t h ro u g h i n 2 0 1 5 . We have now seen that few days after elections, personalities like Senator Ahmad Lawan have taken to the podium in desperation, seeking to mount the National Assembly top posts e v e n b e f o re t h e I n d e p e n d e n t National Electoral Commission (INEC) issued their certificates o f re t u r n t o t h e m .

In Senator Lawan’s case, for instance, he went too far to the e x t e n t o f p l a c i n g b y p ro x y, a d vertisements in several newspapers to market his “candidacy”.

This is besides series of opinion articles, which have obviously

Though a loyal party man, many are of the view that Lawan may well be unsuited to occupy the exalted position of Senate President, for fears that his ambition could lead to compromises, thereby jeopardising President Buhari’s vision for the country. Sceptics cite Lawan’s lukewarm attitude in pursuing the APC’s interests, while refusing to lend his voice to protect President Buhari’s yearnings after he lost his initial bid for the Senate Presidency

Oshiomhole

b e e n s p o n s o re d t o o , t o p ro m o t e his ambition. This is how the division starts. Only God knows w h e re s u c h w i l l t a k e t h e A P C a n d t h e e n t i re n a t i o n .

Though a loyal party man, m a n y a re o f t h e v i e w t h a t L a w a n may well be unsuited to occupy the exalted position of Senate P re s i d e n t , f o r f e a r s t h a t h i s ambition could lead to comp ro m i s e s , t h e re b y j e o p a rd i s i n g P re s i d e n t B u h a r i ’ s v i s i o n f o r t h e c o u n t r y. S c e p t i c s c i t e L a w a n ’ s lukewarm attitude in pursuing t h e A P C ’ s i n t e re s t s , w h i l e re f u s i n g t o l e n d h i s v o i c e t o p ro t e c t P re s i d e n t B u h a r i ’ s y e a r n i n g s after he lost his initial bid for t h e S e n a t e P re s i d e n c y t o S e n a t o r Saraki’s trickery and guile. By then, Senator Lawan became a n e a r re c l u s e u n t i l h e w a s ‘ c o m pensated’ with the chairman of the Senate Standing Committee o n D e f e n c e . H i s m a j o r p re o c cupation then was to sustain the status quo while heading the Defence Committee.

It is on point that Senator Lawan hobnobbed with the leadership of the Senate under Saraki, making little or no serious contributions to furthering t h e c a u s e o f P re s i d e n t B u h a r i i n t h e L e g i s l a t u re . A t a p o i n t i n t i m e , s u p p o r t e r s o f t h e P re s i d e n t w o n d e re d i f a t a l l S e n a t o r Lawan was in the Senate when the Upper Legislative Chamber kept opposing virtually every i n i t i a t i v e f ro m t h e P re s i d e n c y.

H i s t ru e c o l o u r s c a m e t o f o re after he became the beneficiary of the palace coup of principal o ff i c e r s w h i c h o u s t e d t h e n S e n a t e M a j o r i t y L e a d e r, S e n a tor Muhammad Ali Ndume. As soon as he was made the Senate L e a d e r, L a w a n e ff e c t i v e l y j o i n e d the bandwagon and became m o re o f a ‘ y e s ’ m a n , d a n c i n g t o

every tune dished out by Saraki, i n c l u d i n g t h o s e t h a t w e re o b v i o u s l y a d v e r s e t o w a rd s t h e e x e c u t i v e a r m o f g o v e r n m e n t . L i t e ra l l y, e v e r y m o v e b y t h e S e n a t e t o f ru s t r a t e P re s i d e n t B u h a r i w a s executed under Senator Lawan’s w a t c h a s t h e M a j o r i t y L e a d e r.

Many instances abound during the infamous moment following the defection of Senator Saraki to the PDP when Nigerians expected Senator Lawan to rise up to the occasion but he falt e re d . F o r i n s t a n c e , d u r i n g t h e re p e a t e d a d j o u r n m e n t o f p a r l i a mentary activities in the Senate i n o rd e r t o s u s p e n d a c t i o n o n p e n d i n g c ru c i a l n a t i o n a l i s s u e s p re s e n t e d b y t h e P re s i d e n t s u c h as the supplementary budget for 2018, Nigerians expected S e n a t o r L a w a n , a s t h e p e rc e i v e d loyal party man, to openly and decidedly oppose such moves.

A l a s , h e w a v e re d !

Wi t h t h e h o r r i d e x p e r i e n c e o f t h e ru l i n g p a r t y u n d e r S a r a k i ’ s re i g n a s S e n a t e P re s i d e n t , t h e re f o re , t h e re i s e v e r y n e e d f o r t h e APC to pause and weigh the antecedents of those seeking to o c c u p y t h e o ff i c e s o f P re s i d e n t of the Senate and Speaker of the H o u s e o f R e p re s e n t a t i v e s . I t won’t augur well for the party to allow fifth columnists derail the laudable vision of the APCled Federal Government. This is a d e f i n i n g m o m e n t f o r P re s i d e n t Buhari who is on his final lap.

Nigerians expect the APC to d e l i v e r m u c h m o re t h a n i t d i d in the past. This time, no one will be able to blame the federal g o v e r n m e n t ’ s f a i l u re o n t h e t re a c h e r y o f S a r a k i ’ s l e a d e r s h i p , which the likes of Ahmad Lawan a re s t i l l p a r t o f .

- E l e l u i s a f re e l a n c e j o u r n a l i s t covering the National Assembly

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2019

19

PERSPECTIVE

Considering the Common Good of the 2019 Elections

Buhari

Fashola

Bolaji Akanni

F

or the first time in Nigeria’s electioneering history, 73 individuals vied for the country’s presidency. For the first time also, Nigerians had to vote not with their thumbs but with any finger; to prevent “ink spilling into the box meant for another party,” according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

At the end of the day, just one winner was expected - even if the contest went into a run-off.

On Wednesday, February 27, Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, declared incumbent President and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari, winner of the elections, having fulfilled the legal requirement of winning not only the highest number of votes (15,191,847) but also at least 25 per cent of the votes in two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 states. Indeed, he scaled this hurdle in 34 states. The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Nigeria’s Vice President from 1999 to 2007, Atiku Abubakar, came second with 11,262,978 votes.

Mr. Abubakar has vowed to legally challenge the results because of alleged irregularities; even as local and international observers have affirmed

the overall credibility of the elections despite pockets of violence in a few states and, in the words of the European Union Elections Observation Mission (EU EOM), some “operational shortcomings.”

Without any iota of doubt, this is his right.

There is, however, a growing consensus that he should rather concede defeat, for the common good.

What Nigeria needs now is an intensification of its economic diversification, scaling of its infrastructural drive and fortification of its territories against insurgency.

Even as several Western media may have concluded that President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election is as a result of his honesty, integrity, there are evidences that Nigerians believe that there is need for, at least, four more years for the administration to finish the projects being undertaken across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. As experience has shown, a new government often means abandonment of projects. To the credit of the Buhari administration, it has been completing many projects abandoned for many years by previous successive governments. And, even so, with much less resources.

Prior to the elections, while urging Nigerians to make a “sensible choice” of

retaining President Buhari, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola had put it succinctly: “Fundamentals of the economy are heading in the right direction. What we need to do is to consolidate on that.”

Indeed, according to the latest report of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), issued a few days to the presidential election, before it was postponed for a week, many of the economic indices showed positive performances.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew at about 2.38 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2018. The growth in real terms (year-on-year) rose from about 1.81 per cent in the previous quarter of the year.

Good performance, though, economists warned that more needed to be done to stem unemployment. One good reason why there must be consolidation.

Sectors such as agriculture, which recorded annual GDP growth of about 14.27 per cent, higher than 11.29 per cent recorded in 2017. The sector contributed about 23.08 per cent to nominal GDP in Q4 of 2018, as against 21.93 per cent in the corresponding period in 2017.

Nigeria’s drive to be self-sufficient in the production of rice is being relentlessly pursued. Indeed, according to the Africa Rice Center, Africa’s foremost research organisation on rice, with its production of four million tonnes a year, Nigeria now ranks the highest producer

of rice in Africa.

Manufacturing recorded 10.11 per cent in the last quarter of 2018, as against 8.53 in the corresponding period in 2017 and third quarter performance of 2018.

Manufacturing PMI, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which had, for many months, recorded expansions rose, to an all-time high of 61.10 in December 2018, although it fell to 57.1 in February 2019.

In his 2019 State of the Union address, President of the United States of America, Mr. Donald Trump admonished opposing parties to reject “the politics of revenge, resistance, and retribution” and embrace “the boundless potential of cooperation, compromise, and the common good.”

For all contestants to various elective offices in Nigeria’s political season, this should be the mantra.

The last words should go to President Muhammadu Buhari: “The new administration will intensify its efforts in security, restructuring the economy and fighting corruption. We have laid down the foundation and we are committed to seeing matters to the end. We will strive to strengthen our unity and inclusiveness so that no section or group will feel left behind or left out.”

-Akanni is a Public Policy Analyst based in Lagos

Why the Army’s Indictment of INEC Should Interest Everyone Tonye Princewill

I

t is better to be quiet and let people suspect you may have something in your mouth, than to open your mouth and confirm that you actually do. What the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has shown in its attitude towards members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State (and the people of Rivers State in general) through the statement on March 15 was that the commission may not have been able to resist the allure of big money. Many of us said as much, but our allegation was dismissed. Now that people have heard from an institution with even more integrity, the biases of INEC and its underhand tactics have been laid bare for everyone to see. INEC is not the first to succumb and will not be the last, but thanks to the current anti-corruption trend in the Buhari administration, the world is watching them dance naked in the market square.

The recent terse statement made by the Nigerian Army exposed a

wide gap in the relationship between the “independent” umpire and the security agencies. Coming from the same institution that supposedly provides a conducive environment to INEC, this is interesting. What is striking in the statement released by the Army is not that they simply dented INEC’s credibility, but that they called them out in a key aspect of their qualification that leaves them in tatters - their expected independence.

How INEC recovers from this remains to be seen, but suffice to say that they can no longer speak with the freedom of the benefit of doubt they have been enjoying, from not only Nigerians but from the international community as well.

Thanks to the Nigerian Army, some elements in the judiciary and also the Inspector General of Police, not everybody is for sale. There is still hope for justice and the illegal suspension of an exercise that was inching Governor Nyesom Wike towards defeat will not save him from an inevitable rendezvous. We conducted a congress, they complained. We repeated it again, they sued. Judges excluded

us from the ballot, we went for Option B. Rivers people still humiliated Wike, they suspended his defeat.

What more do we need to do? What else do they need to see, to know that this is not about one man, one party or even any individual ambition? It is a movement, united for the recovery of our state, our economy and our collective peace of mind.

We in Rivers state know that there was no widespread violence that called for the total suspension of the entire electoral process in the whole state. If there was, how did INEC get results in 17 out of 23 LGAs? We know that widespread violence leaves a trail of death and destruction, if that was the case, how come INEC was able to declare results for Presidential elections when death and destruction was validated, but not for the governorship election when death and destruction was unconfirmed?

If INEC wants to be a responsible umpire, beyond obeying the courts, they will now need to do the following: Apologize to Rivers people and the security agencies, especially the army,

to rebuild the sense of joint duty needed to move forward.

Issue a statement condemning the violence meted out to all sides with specific reference to the governor ’s illegal storming of a collation centre.

Cancel the entire process and start again or pending the resolution of all legal matters, announce the results per LGA, up to the point of “suspension”.

Change the REC and principal officers to conduct the election whenever the opportunity so provides, as there is no confidence in their neutrality and/or competence to conduct a free and fair election.

Anything short of the above is business as usual and an exercise in futility. We are resolute against all odds in the goal of rescuing our state from the shackles of wickedness. We thank all the patriots that have remained committed to justice in spite of the twists and turns of corrupt institutions.

-Princewill is the Director, Strategic Communications, Tonye Cole Campaign Organisation

20

5 ) * 4 % ": t FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2019

21

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°Í°, 2019

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A S

A T

REPO 9.17 % 10.08 %

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

10.50 % 12.38 % 12.63 %

M A R C H S & P INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

Group Business Editor Obinna Chima Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08024557078, 08152447875

8 , 2 0 1 9 383.22 % 0.08 % 0.32 %

S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE 7.35 % YEAR TO DATE 7.35 %

EXCHANGE RATE N306.90/1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes NAMA Boss Crowned Tennis Club Patron

COURTESY VISIT

L-R: Member, BOT Risk Management Association of Nigeria (RIMAN)/ Partnership and Risk Consultant, KPMG, Mr Olumide Olayinka; President, RIMAN/Chief Risk OďŹ&#x192;cer Coronation Merchant Bank, Mr Magnus Nnoka; MD/CEO, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mr Ahmed Lawan Kuru; Abieyuwa Erediauwa and Mr Tajudeen Ahmed both of AMCON, when RIMAN paid AMCON a courtesy visit in Lagosâ&#x20AC;Śrecently

Clearing Agents Accuse Customs of Sabotaging Trade Facilitation Eromosele Abiodun Few weeks after importers and manufacturers of chemical substances in the country accused the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) of abuse of End User Certificate, clearing agents have raised the alarm over slow evacuation of cargoes from Apapa port, due to the activities of customs officers.

Specifically, customs agents told THISDAY that the Apapa customs command was impeding trade facilitation at the port with the series of bottlenecks it created, which hamper ease of doing business and cargo clearance.

For instance, an agent

MARITIME operating at the Apapa seaport, Tony Anakebe, told THISDAY that aside the customs officers statutorily empowered to clear cargoes, another set of ad-hoc officers are also stationed, whose duplication delay already cleared cargoes at the Apapa port.

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;there is a new taskforce called CG taskforce that was posted to Apapa Port, which creates duplication of duties. The presence of the taskforce is gradually slowing the process of cargo clearance and making doing business difficult in

Apapa port. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Customs CG should put an end to duplication of customs units in the port because they are creating complications in Apapa. It is worrisome that customs management cannot trust its officers, especially at the command level. We have one CG taskforce stationed at warehouse and another inside the port.â&#x20AC;?

The clearing agent also alleged that the taskforce had increased the cost of clearing cargo at the port as agents are forced to reposition already examined cargoes.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The taskforce must clear you before the clearing

agents would go and release the goods from the resident officer. The taskforce must go for physical examination with the resident officer after which, they will write report on the examination, and if they are not satisfied with the result, the taskforce will ask the agent to re-position the container for a second examination. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This involves payment of an additional N60,000 to the terminal operator to re-position the container for examination.

My company was supposed to take delivery of consignments since last week Thursday but Continued on page 22

In recognition of his contribution to the growth and development of the aviationsectorinthecountry,theManagingDirectoroftheNigerianAirspace ManagementAgency(NAMA)Capt.FolaAkinkuotu,wasrecentlyhonoured aspatronoftheprestigiousSkyTennisClub,IkejaLagos. Theeventwhich held at the Tennis Court in Ikeja, attracted friends and colleagues of the NAMA boss as well as dignitaries cutting across the various agencies in theaviationindustry.

In his remarks at the investiture, the chairman of the club, Capt. Muyiwa Bajomo, said Akinkuotu was carefully chosen by the club management because of his enormous contribution towards the growth of Nigerian aviation,aswellashisadvocacyforahealthyworkforceinthesector. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Capt.Akinkuotuisoneofthemostrespectediconsoftheaviationindustry inNigeria.Heisahighlyfocusedandtarget-drivenprofessionalwhodelivers onhispromisesintheindustryandthenationingeneral. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Underhiscalmleadership,theNigerianAirspaceManagementAgency hasstabilisedandischartingasteadycourseforwardinitsdetermination toenhancesafetyofairtravelinthecountry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He is also an avid tennis fan, a lover of sports and long-time friend and supporteroftheclub,â&#x20AC;?Bajomosaid.

Accordingtoacitationbytheclub,Capt.Akinkuotuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;srichbackgroundinthe industryasanaccomplishedleaderandastuteadministratorwouldserve asasourceofinspirationtoupcomingaviatorsandmembersoftheclub.

Inhisacceptancespeech,theNAMAhelmsmanexpressedgratitudeto themanagementoftheclubforthehonour,sayingthathisguidingprinciple inlifehasbeenthatofhardworkandthathisrecognitionbytheclubwould spurhimfurthertowardscontributingtothewellbeingofthesociety.

Ooni of Ife Hosts NATOP AGM

The Nigerian Association of Tour Operators will be holding their 2019 AnnualGeneralMeetinginOsunState.

TheAGMwillbehostedbyHisMajestyObaAdeyeyeEnitanOgunwusiOjaja II,theOoniofIfe.ThiswasrevealedwhenthePresidentoftheAssociation HajiaBilikisuAbdulledExecutiveMembersofNATOPonacourtesyvisit tothePalaceoftheOoni.

TheOoniofIfethankedthemandpromisedtoshowcasethehugetourism assetsofIfethesourceofYorubacivilisationduringtheAGM. The Executive members were given a sample of the heritage sites in Ife. The 2018 edition of NATOP AGM was hosted in Jos by Plateau State government. Also,the2017AGMheldinLagosandwasattendedbythe Minister of information Culture andTourism Alhaji Lai Mohammed.The 2016editiontookplaceinCalabar,CrossRiverState.

AccordingtothePresidentofNATOPHajiaBilikisuâ&#x20AC;&#x153;AsaNationalAssociation weuseourAGMtoexposeourmemberstothehugetourismpotentials and resources available in Nigeria.â&#x20AC;? NATOP is an Association for Tour Operators involved in both Outbound and Inbound Tourism. The 2019 AGMwillbeinApril.

Former Delta Executive to Head FAA

FormerDeltaAirlinesexecutive,SteveDickson,willbenominatedtolead the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the White House said on Tuesday.

Airwise.comreportedthatifconfirmed,DicksonwouldreplaceactingFAA head Daniel Elwell, who in turn replaced former administrator Michael Huertawhenhistermendedinearly2018.

ThenominationcomesatatimewhentheFAAisunderpressureoverits approvalprocessfortheBoeing737MAX,aftertwooftherelativelynew aircraftcrashedoverafive-monthperiod.

TheUSDepartmentofTransportationisplanninganauditbytheInspector Generalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sofficeoftheFAAcertificationforthe737MAX.

Airline Withdraws from Investment Talks

US Investigates FAA over Approval of Boeing 737MAX Chinedu Eze Reports have confirmed that that the US Department of Transportation (DoT) is investigating the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its approval of Boeing B737MAX after the recent crash of Ethiopia Airlines Flight 302 in Ethiopia, which killed 157 persons on board.

Two accidents involving Indonesiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lion Air Flight JT610 on October 29, 2018 where 189 persons died and the one in Ethiopia have led to total death of 346 persons.

According to Reuters, Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) of a Lion Air JT610 that crashed into Tanjung Karawang sea is seen inside a special container after it was found The report indicated that the pilots of ill-fated Lion Air Boeing 737 MAX scoured a handbook as they struggled

AVIATION to understand why the jet was lurching downwards, but ran out of time before it hit the water, three people with knowledge of the cockpit voice recorder contents said.

This gives credence to the report that pilots who trained to fly the aircraft outside the US did not have access to the manual that detailed the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), which has been found to be responsible to the two fatal crashes.

The investigation into the crash, which killed all 189 people on board in October, has taken on new relevance as the FAA and other regulators grounded the model last week after a second deadly accident in Ethiopia.

Investigators examining the

Indonesian crash are considering how a computer ordered the plane to dive in response to data from a faulty sensor and whether the pilots had enough training to respond appropriately to the emergency, among other factors.

But DoT is investigating why FAA approved the computer (MCAS) for the aircraft.

Reuters reported that it was the first time the voice recorder contents from the Lion Air flight have been made public, but the three sources that spoke with the medium did so on condition of anonymity.

A Lion Air spokesman said all data and information had been given to investigators and declined to comment further.

The captain was at the controls of Lion Air flight JT610 when the nearly new jet took off from Jakarta, and the first officer was handling the radio,

according to a preliminary report issued in November.

Just two minutes into the flight, the first officer reported a â&#x20AC;&#x153;flight control problemâ&#x20AC;? to air traffic control and said the pilots intended to maintain an altitude of 5,000 feet, the November report said.

The first officer did not specify the problem, but one source said airspeed was mentioned on the cockpit voice recording, and a second source said an indicator showed a problem on the captainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s display but not the first officerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.

The captain asked the first officer to check the quick reference handbook, which contains checklists for abnormal events, the first source said.

For the next nine minutes, the jet warned pilots it was in a stall and pushed the nose down Continued on page 22

UK airline easyJet has withdrawn from discussions with Delta and the Italianrailcompany,FerrovietoinvestinAlitalia.

ThestrugglingItalianflagcarrierwentintoadministrationin2017andwas put up for sale by the government in an attempt to save as much of the airlineandjobsaspossible.

Afewairlineshaveexpressedinterest,butaftereasyJetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sdecision,Delta AirLinesistheonlycarrierstillintalkswithstaterailoperatorFerroviedello StatoItalianetoinvestinAlitalia,airwise.comreported. easyJetsaiditâ&#x20AC;&#x153;remainscommittedtoItaly,asakeymarketforthecompany, whereitcurrentlycarries18.5millionpassengerseveryyearandemploys 1400pilotsandcrew,allonlocalcontracts.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;In doing international operation there are a lot of factors that come to play. You must address every factorâ&#x20AC;?

Chairman/CEO Air Peace,

Allen Onyema

22

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°Í°Ë&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

BUSINESSWORLD CLEARING AGENTS ACCUSE CUSTOMS OF SABOTAGING TRADE FACILITATION

we have not been able to till date, and the importer will be paying demurrage for no just reason. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After these encumbrances, another customs unit will hold the cargo on the road, claiming to be Abuja taskforce. It encourages corruption in the system and makes doing business difficult for importers.â&#x20AC;?

In the same vein, another clearing agent, Pius Nwani, said the cost of clearing cargoes at the Apapa Port has increased due to the activities of customs officers.

He wondered why a unit of the same service would stop an already cleared cargo in the seaport by a resident officer and order a re-examination.

He said the multiple layers of customs officers at the seaport has clogged the ease of doing business at the Apapa Port and slowed down cargo clearance.

US INVESTIGATES FAA OVER APPROVAL OF BOEING 737MAX

in response, the report showed.

A stall is when the airflow over a planeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wings is too weak to generate lift and keep it flying.

The captain fought to climb, but the computer, still incorrectly sensing a stall, continued to push the nose down using the planeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trim system. Normally, trim adjusts an aircraftâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s control surfaces to ensure it flies straight and level, Reuters reported. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to know the trim was moving down,â&#x20AC;? the third source said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They thought only about airspeed and altitude. That was the only thing they talked about.â&#x20AC;?

Reuters also reported that Boeing Company declined to comment on Wednesday because the investigation was ongoing.

The manufacturer has said there is a documented procedure to handle the situation. A different crew on the same plane the evening before encountered the same problem but solved it after running through three checklists, according to the November report.

But they did not pass on all of the information about the problems they encountered to the next crew, the report said.

NEWS

NIMASA, Stakeholders Sign Agreement on Ease of Doing Business Stories by Eromosele Abiodun The federal government has restated its commitment to prompt and effective service delivery, especially in its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

This, it stressed was an essential condition for economic development.

Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Ease of Doing Business, Mrs. Jumoke Oduwole, made the assertion in Lagos during the signing ceremony of the Service Level Agreement (SLA) between the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and its stakeholders.

The signing ceremony was organised by the SERVICOM Unit of NIMASA in conjunction with the Office of the National Coordinator of SERVICOM. The SLA is a requirement under Executive Order 1 on the Ease of Doing business, signed by the federal government in May 2017. It commits NIMASA to a binding agreement with its customers to, in the spirit of transparency; publish data on the processes and accessibility of organisation-wide information with regard to cost, timelines, and other requirements for obtaining services in the Agency.

Speaking at the occasion, Oduwole, who was represented by Mr. David Uzozike, commended NIMASA for its commitment to excellence as well as prompt and consistent submission of the agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s monthly performance reports.

The National Coordinator of SERVICOM, Mrs. Nnenna Akajemelu, in her remarks,

applauded the management of NIMASA for its inclination towards reform. Akajemelu noted that excellent service delivery was a collective responsibility. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Excellence is a journey. So whatever must be done to achieve it must be put in place.

The bigger picture of excellent service delivery is Nigeria; we therefore look at the future of seeing our customers delighted,â&#x20AC;? she said.

According to Akajemelu, with

the SLA initiative, the service provider is saying to the public it is committed and as such has handed to the public all the standards that will be deployed to ensure that excellent services are rendered at all times.

She praised the agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan to automate all its service windows. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This tells us that the days of service failure are being gradually eradicated, â&#x20AC;?Akajemelu said.

The Director General of

NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, emphasised the critical role of effective and efficient service delivery in the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quest for development. Peterside stressed that the Agency was unwaveringly committed to promptness and excellence in its operations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The signing marks a new era and significant milestone for the Agency for greater service delivery in quantifiable and measurable terms. It also brings

to focus what the leadership of NIMASA stands for on the issues of effectiveness, efficiency, and, most importantly, the credibility of service delivery,â&#x20AC;? Peterside said.

He explained that quality service was a culture that must be observed at all times, adding, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to quality and excellent service at all times and in all our service windows is total and unwavering.â&#x20AC;?

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP REPORT

L-R: Partner/Head, Transfer Pricing Services, Andersen Tax, Dr. Josh Bamfo; Chairman, Mr. Seyi Bickersteth and Head, Marketing/ Branding, Omowunmi Onimole, at the launch of the ďŹ rmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thought leadership publication on transfer pricing in Lagosâ&#x20AC;Śrecently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

Air Peace CEO Explains Position on B737MAX Chinedu Eze The Chairman and CEO of Air Peace Airline, Allen Onyema, has clarified issues around the B737MAX aircraft.

Onyema, reaffirm that it was true that the company ordered the Boeing 737MAX 8.

However, he pointed out that after the airline ordered 10 of the aircraft that was involved in two fatal accidents in Indonesia and Ethiopia respectively, Air Peace like other airlines that have also ordered the aircraft, would wait for the outcome of investigations

before taking a decision on the order.

Onyema, noted that all the airlines that had ordered the aircraft, none has cancelled its order; rather, they are all waiting for the investigation and action that would be taken by Boeing, adding that Nigeria like many other countries of the world has banned the aircraft in its airspace.

He noted that the Air Peace does not have the aircraft in its fleet and wondered why Nigerians were attacking the airline, while nobody had attacked the carriers that have the aircraft

and are operating the equipment before the accidents.

The Air Peace CEO frowned upon the behaviour of some Nigerians who mischievously created the impression that the airline already had the aircraft in its fleet even when the order it made would begin to arrive in 2023. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are not saying we are cancelling neither are we saying we are not cancelling because no airline that ordered for the aircraft had said it is cancelling.

Everybody is waiting for the outcome of the investigation.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;What airlines that have the aircraft have done now is to ground them until the result of the investigation comes out. And at the same time countries are banning them from flying in their airspace until the investigation comes out. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But I still wonder that air accident happened in Ethiopia, Ethiopians have never taken their airline that had accident to the cleaners. Ethiopians have never up to this moment attacked Ethiopian Airlines that bought this aircraft. â&#x20AC;&#x153;South West Airlines has so many of these planes, no country

has ever attacked those who innocently purchased these planes and who are already using them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have 400 of these planes in active service, none of these countries where these plane are operating had ever risen up against their airlines for buying these planes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not even Ethiopia and Indonesia that had accidents with these planes, their citizens never attacked them. However, Air Peace that does not have the aircraft has been taken to the cleaners by Nigerians for what didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even concern us,â&#x20AC;?

Onyema said.

Shippersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Council Advocates for Formation of Association Group Business Editor

Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039; Capital Market Editor

Goddy Ogene

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; äĂ?

The Nigerian Shippersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Council (NSC), as part of its effort at revitalising the shippersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; association has commenced moves for the formation of a National Shippersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association across the country. This was disclosed at a one-day meeting

with selected presidents of State Shippersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association in Lagos by the Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Hassan Bello.

Bello, who was represented by the Director, Consumer Affairs Department, NSC,

Chief C.C Agu, stated that the forum was to provide a platform that would develop a framework for the formulation of a credible and resourceful National Shippersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association.

He also emphasised that shippers are and still remain

the most important partners to the council.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The key priority of the council is to ensure that shippers are constituted into strong and formidable blocks capable of negotiating with transport service providers on

freight payable and associated transport costs.â&#x20AC;?

At the end of the meeting, the NSC and presidents of state shippersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; association unanimously agreed on the formulation of National Shippersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association.

Comms/e-Business Editor

Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x201C; Senior Correspondent

Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x; (Advertising) Correspondents

Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x; äĂ? (Aviation) Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC; (Maritime) Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2122; (Finance) Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x201C; (Insurance) Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă? Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; (Energy) Reporters

Ă&#x;Ă&#x2014;Ă? Ă&#x2022;Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2019;Ă? (Money Market) Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă? (ICT)

Abba-Kura takes over as Apapa Customs Controller The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), has redeployed Mohammed Abba-Kura, a Comptroller of Customs to take over as Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command.

Abba-Kura, takes over from former Comptroller Abubakar Bashir, who got recently ap-

pointed as Acting Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) and posted to the service headquarters in Abuja.

With a strong ICT background backed with revenue leakage prevention capacity, Abba-Kura is expected to oversee customs operations at the service flagship command with highest volume of trade

and revenue collection.

Abba-Kura was until his recent posting, the Controller in charge of Zone A office of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) where he achieved the recovery of N17.4 billion in 2018.

His uncompromising use of Harmonised System (HS) code, the C (Customs) number, type of commodities imported,

profile of importers and their agents including applying blocking of suspected duty defaulters from further transactions assisted in the recoveries He achieved collection of N2.3 billion underpayment from a company through audit discoveries without compromising flow of business in line with laid down World

Customs Organisation (WCO) procedures.

Abba-Kura joined the NCS in April 1989. He attended the University of Maiduguri where a bagged a Bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Degree in Education. He also holds a Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Degree in International Relations and Strategic Studies from Lagos State University (LASU) Ojo.

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

NANTA to Focus on Growth Strategy Stories by Chinedu Eze

The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has announced that it would hold its 43rd Annual General Meeting (AGM), with a focus on developing strategic policies for the growth of travel and tourism industry.

The association said the AGM was coming at a time the downstream sub-sector of the aviation industry has lamented weak policies of the government, making it impossible to protect the travel agencies.

Speaking during a press conference to announce the AGM in Lagos, the President of NANTA, Bankole Bernard, said the event, which would hold on March 27, 2019, in Lagos, would draw governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attention to implementing policies that would sustain and grow the travel and

tourism industry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are hoping that the next level of President Muhammadu Buhari administration, we will have a road map for the travel and tourism industry.

Ethiopia is sustained by their aviation sector. Why canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Nigeria thrive and survive on aviation if the right policies are in place? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Government needs to look at the downstream sector to ensure it implements policies that protect indigenous players, encourage professionalism and ensure the industry is rid of fraudulent practices,â&#x20AC;?

Bankole added.

He said the keynote speaker for the event would be the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Muhtar Usman, while Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika and Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Minister of Information and

Culture, Lai Mohammed, would be Special Guests of Honour at the occasion.

Also speaking at the event, the first vice president of NANTA, Susan Akporiaye, said in Nigeria, the tourism industry has taken a back stage and there was need for private sector to get close to the government so they can also influence policy implementation for the downstream sector. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of countries thrive on tourism and travel and Nigeria cannot be left behind.

People need to know the potential inherent in the sector. If we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the right policies, there is little we can do to realise this potential. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is why this AGM will address policies that can help us a as a nation realise these huge potential inherent in the downstream s e c t o r, â&#x20AC;? A k p o r i a y e added.

IATA ClariďŹ es New Settlement Plan The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has said the New Generation of IATA Settlement Systems (NewGen ISS), is not a program that is specific to Nigeria.

The body said it represents the modernisation of the IATA Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) used by more than 50,000 IATA-accredited travel agents around the world, adding that the NewGen ISS is being rolled out progressively to all 180 BSP markets.

According to the global organisation, IATA worked collaboratively with travel agent representatives to introduce NewGen ISS and these forums such as the Passenger Agency Program Global

Joint Council (PAPGJC) and Agency Program Joint Councils (APJCs) enabled IATAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s travel agent partners to contribute to the development of NewGen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Among the benefits of NewGen ISS is strengthened protection against fraud through an enhanced risk management framework for travel agents. Furthermore, NewGen ISS offers travel agents three levels of accreditation, which allows them to choose the level that best matches their business model. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The new accreditation models are making it easier for local Nigerian travel agents to become IATA-accredited through a lighter option (GoLite).

This model operates on

a pay-as-you-go basis, thereby minimising financial risk, while facilitating accreditation for small and mid-sized businesses. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Regardless of the accreditation model, to become accredited in any country, including Nigeria, one must comply with local licensing and registration requirements to sell travel.

Agents continue to remit locally any â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cashâ&#x20AC;? amounts due for tickets issued in BSP Nigeria.

Additionally, we now offer IATA EasyPay, a virtual wallet for agents to pay for tickets in the BSP. IATA EasyPay operates using a local bank account in Nigeria, which does not involve cross-border transfers,â&#x20AC;?

IATA said.

Dana Air Increases Lagos-Abuja Flight Frequency Dana Air has introduced more flights options from Lagos to Abuja and Abuja to Lagos with low fares.

According to a statement by the airlineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Media and Communications Manager, Kingsley Ezenwa, starting from March 18, 2019, the airline would operate additional flights from Lagos to Abuja at 6.48am, 10.08am, 12.15pm, 13.44pm, and 5.10pm while flights from Abuja to Lagos will be at 8.28am, 10.35am, 12.06pm, 15.30pm and 18.50pm. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;We are pleased to announce that we have introduced additional flights on our Lagos-

Abuja â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Lagos routes to provide more options, comfort and affordable fares for our teeming guests. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With effect from 18th of March 2019, we will operate flights from Lagos to Abuja at 6.48am, 10.08, 12.15pm, 13.44pm, and 5.10pm, while flights from Abuja to Lagos will be at 8.28am, 10.35am, 12.06pm, 15.30pm and 18.50pm,â&#x20AC;? Ezenwa said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Having yielded to the demands of our guests for more flights to be introduced at specific time and the increasing loads on the sector, we advise our guests to also plan their trip, book early by visiting our website

to get best fares. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At the moment, we have two ongoing promos: the 100 per cent bonus miles promo, and the reward promo in partnership with MMA2, which entails passengers to buy four tickets and get the 5th at N5000. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our guests are also advised to take advantage of these promos, use more of their miles and save more on tickets,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Dana Air is one of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading airlines reputed for its world-class in-flight and customer service, innovative online product and services and unrivalled on-time performance.

Air Peace: Preparing for Long-haul Service

Chinedu Eze For more than one year now, no Nigerian airline has operated long haul service. This means that international passenger traffic, which is over four million per annum and worth over $2 billion annually is airlifted solely by foreign airlines.

The last long haul flight operated by a Nigerian airline was that of Medview, which started LagosDubai service in November 2017, but stopped in January 2018, in addition to its Lagos-London flights.

Arik Air used to operate to London, Johannesburg and New York for several years before it was stopped when the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) took over the company in February 2017.

The consequence of this is that most of the revenues generated from Nigerian passengers travelling overseas are repatriated by foreign airlines that provide the service in the country.

This also contributed significantly to the pressure mounted on the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s currency.

When this is added to the fact that major maintenance of aircraft of Nigerian airlines is done overseas, aircraft spares bought from overseas and simulator and other training of pilots done overseas, then one could imagine the humongous amount of money repatriated overseas from the aviation sector.

Many industry observers are of the view that the fact that about four million Nigerian passengers are airlifted by foreign carriers out of the country, should be a source of concern to the federal government and anticipated that government should strive to curtail the dominance of international carriers by empowering and seriously supporting Nigerian airlines.

But from all indications Air Peace airline, which has been planning to start international operation does not seem to be getting so much support from government.

It was the same situation when Arik Air wanted to operate long haul flights and when Medview Airline started its flights to London.

THISDAY learnt that the Nigerian airlines were left to shoulder the task alone, without any form of support from the government. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sometimes government put hurdles on their way by even giving more opportunities to foreign carriers, claiming that it runs open market to encourage competition, but it is only Nigeria that does not protect its own airline when you look at aeropolitics that guides international operations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When we started operation to London we were practically begging government agencies and the Minister of Aviation then to give us approvals which we had met the conditions.

That is it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is like government prefers foreign airlines to fully take charge of long distance flights from Nigeria,â&#x20AC;? regretted a former senior official of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s major carrier.

THISDAY spoke to the Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema on the preparation of the airline for long haul operations.

He said the airline was meeting all the conditions in accordance to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations â&#x20AC;&#x153;Doing international operations is not the same as doing domestic operations; it is a different ball game entirely. When you want to do international operations the very first time, it is like you obtaining AOC (Air Operator Certificate) afresh and trying to start airline operations for the first time when you have never been there before. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So you must make sure that everything is in place before you go into it. There are a lot of factors that comes to play and you must address every issue, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t jump into it without looking. If you leap before you look you may hurt yourself. â&#x20AC;&#x153;First of all, the charges, are you prepared for the charges? When you start and you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the expected passenger traffic, how long can you take it? In Air Peace, we have told ourselves that the in the next one year, good or bad we must continue. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So we want to prepare ourselves; we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to bite more than we can chew. We want to represent this country proudly; we want Nigerians to be proud of this airline,â&#x20AC;? Onyema said.

He said the airline was ready and has completed the requirements to start the operations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are ready, we have done our over five hours of demonstration flight, flying our planes with only NCAA (the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority) officials to Dakar. We came back, we did another return flight to United Arab Emirate, to Sharjah, we came back. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We did another one to Johannesburg we came back successfully. So we are waiting for NCAA to put this aircraft on our operational specifications so that we would be able to start, that is what we are waiting for. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We hope to start our flight operations in April. Now, coming to the question of support, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think we are getting the necessary support we are supposed to get. Because we want to start international operations next month and up till this time I do not have a business or first class lounge in my own country while other foreign airlines have. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So the regulatory authorities and all the agencies of government that are in charge of aviation should do everything possible to support indigenous carriers. We are ready to start with Sharjah and Dubai,â&#x20AC;? he added.

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5 ) * 4 % ": t FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2019

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STACO Insurance Introduces Retail Products

RMB Expands to India Peter Uzoho As part of efforts to continue to support its clients globally, Rand Merchant Bank has expanded its operations to India.

The move is to enable the bank diversify into different markets and tap the opportunities in the Indian economy.

The Head of Investment Banking, Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria (RMBN), Dalu Ajene, disclosed this at the Indian professional forum dinner held in Lagos, recently.

According to him, the decision to expand to India was an important and valued proposition for both countries considering the recently signed bilateral trade agreement.

He said the RMB would leverage on the opportunity by engaging significant businesses that have operations in Nigeria and also interact with India either through trade, capital flows or

CEO, RMB Nigeria, Michael Larbie

partnership, to foster the success of the trade. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Capital formation and business success is very key to grow value proposition for a bank like RMB,â&#x20AC;?

Ajene explained.

Speaking on government policy that mandates financial institutions to contribute 10 percent of its profit before tax to the national housing fund he said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a very interesting way by the government to address the housing shortfall that exist in Nigeria, as long as it bridges the funding gap in terms of people

being able to afford houses and also being able to get effective cost financing to acquire those houses.â&#x20AC;?

He added that RMB as a bank remains committed to partnering with and is looking forward to working with the government on bridging the housing gap in Nigeria The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Shri Abhay Thakur, who was at the dinner, stated that India has remained Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest trading partner and would continue to strengthen the bilateral trade agreement with Nigeria.

Also speaking at the forum, a Senior Lecturer at the Lagos Business School and the Chief Executive Officer of Kainos Edge Consulting, Dr. Doyin Salami, in a presentation, said 2019 has better prospects for businesses than the previous year because the uncertainties surrounding the elections have been resolved.

Ebere Nwoji STACO Insurance Plc said it has strengthened its retail business portfolio with renewed vigour, through its addition of three customised retail insurance products.

The company said this is in a bid to fulfil its strategic objectives by retaining and enhancing its clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; base, adding real and genuine value to customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs and extending the penetration of existing products and service.

A statement by the Head Corporate Communications of STACO Insurance, Dr. Tunde Odeyemi, said the new products are STACO Personal Protection Plan (PPP) which protects its holders against accidental death, permanent or temporary disability and medical expenses arising from all forms of accidents.

Also, the STACO Home Owners Insurance seeks to protect its holders from loss or damage to their precious assets or properties at home, arising from theft, fire, lightning and explosion, damage caused by bursting or overflowing of water tanks apparatus or pipes amongst others and the STACO Travel Policy was designed to provide compensation for accidental death, permanent disability or partial disability, loss of luggage up to a specified amount and medical expenses following accidents.

He said the travel insurance policy covers all the travels embarked upon by the subscriber through any means of transportation on both local and international travels.

According to him, the customised insurance policies

have been designed to bring comfort to their holders and improve their well-being at a very affordable price.

Odeyemi, said STACO Insurance was known for its passion for high standards and its customer-centred service delivery, adding that the company was committed to putting smiles on the faces of its teaming clientele by developing and offering flexible, top-notch quality and customer friendly insurance products at all times.

STACO Insurance Plc is one of the leading Insurance companies in Nigeria, a product of a well thought out acquisition carried out on Alpha Insurance Plc. The Company which commenced operations in 1994 specialises in General Insurance and Special Risks businesses.

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As FG Begins Cargo Evacuation by Rail Eromosele Abiodun writes that Nigerians will soon begin to reap the benefits as the federal government will next month begin to evacuate cargoes by rail to the hinterland

Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi

L

ate last year, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) hosted the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) Africa Regional Conference in Abuja, with the aim of finding lasting solution to the problem of hinterland connectivity in member countries.

The IAPH Africa conference, which was declared open by President Muhammadu Buhari assembled key experts and stakeholders in the port logistics and transport industry. The conference provided a deeper understanding of the concept of port hinterland connectivity, assessed the present landscape of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s port sector and the challenges faced in hinterland connectivity.

Also, the conference discussed the experiences of port hinterland connectivity in other parts of the world compared to Africa, explored possible critical solutions, and recommend best home-grown models that would enable Africa to improve on its port hinterland connectivity and intraregional trade.

The IAPH was formed in 1955 and over the last 60 years it has grown into a global alliance representing 180 Members Ports and 140 Port related businesses in 90 countries.

The IAPH was established to promote interest of ports worldwide, build strong member relationship and share international best practices.

Nigeria was awarded the hosting right last year when the Managing Director of the NPA, Hadiza Bala-Usman was elected Vice president representing Africa on the IAPH Governing Board. This was a testament of the recognition of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s effort in building a virile maritime industry locally and cooperating with other nations to do same.

In a communiquĂŠ issued at the end of the conference, stakeholders agreed that Ports are strategic national assets.

They also agreed that for economies to grow in the right direction there is need for investments in port and evacuation infrastructure to facilitate hinterland connectivity.

The communiquĂŠ read: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Connectivity for economic growth, expansion and integration should be viewed from the perspective of domestic, sub-regional, continental and international trade domain; There is need to develop sustainable multi-modal transport linkages with emphasis on rail, inland waterways and pipeline infrastructure. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To overcome the cumbersome and difficult experiences on intra-Africa trade route occasioned by heavy infrastructural deficit and unfriendly border post procedures, there is need for Ministerial/ inter-Government collaborations across sub and regional levels.

African countries need to leverage on the support platforms provided by international bodies such as the IMO, WTO, UNCTAD,

MD NPA, Hadiza Bala-Usman

ACMA and others to build technical, financial and operational competence and capacity to raise standards and efficiency levels. To encourage funding, they said port service providers are encouraged to form viable consortiums to provide the required size for credit guarantees.

They encouraged the promotion of the use of Inland Container Deport (ICDs) and off-dock facilities as a measure of promoting hinterland connectivity.

African ports were encouraged to develop the right capacity to take investment opportunities in landlocked countries adding that there is a need for African ports to adopt best practices in terms of human capacity and expertise.

Hinterland Connectivity One of the major resolutions of the conference was the call for the promotion of the use of Inland Container Deport (ICDs) and off-dock facilities as a measure of promoting hinterland connectivity. The federal government appears to be taken steps to implement some of the resolutions as it has emerged that the government will begin cargo evacuation by rail to the hinterland next month.

Barring any last minute change, the evacuation of cargoes by rail from Apapa seaport in Lagos to the Kaduna Inland Container Dry port will commence in April, 16 months after it was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Council (NSC), Mr. Hassan Bello, said the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has designated 24 flatbed wagons for evacuation and transportation of cargoes from the dry port.

Bello, stated that the rail evacuation of cargoes is another stage for the actualisation of the Kaduna dry port.

He also explained that the flatbed wagons are already on ground and would be deployed in April.

Specifically, he said: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We just held a meeting now with NRC and they have so far been involved in the dry port that we now have about 24 flatbed wagons designated for Kaduna dry port. The wagons are on ground now and by April, movement of cargoes will begin from the seaports to Kaduna and that will be another stage for the actualisation of the Kaduna dry port.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The NSC boss, however, frowned on reports that Togo and Ghana are taking over as hub in West and Central Africa sub-region.

He disclosed that Nigerian ports have become efficient and effective with 80 per cent of cargoes coming to West and Central Africa from around the world destined for Nigeria seaports.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;For cargoes coming into West and Central Africa sub-region, Nigeria has 80 per cent of the cargoes while other countries distribute 20 percent among themselves. So, how can they be a hub when Nigeria ports are becoming efficient by the day? We are attracting cargoes from other ports and the moment we get our infrastructure and our connectivity right, importers will patronise the eastern ports. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The government is tackling insecurity, once that is done, and then we will see the real hub. We have the Lekki deep seaport with its huge capacity and when the Lekki deep seaport comes on board, we will get bigger ships and send the smaller ones to other countries,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Bello, who also spoke on the registration policy initiated by the council, noted that it is a step towards automating the port and cutting human interface that breeds corruption.

According to him, there are lots of benefits inherent in the policy which includes easy payment at the ports.

Connecting Seaports Buhari had said he directed that all nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seaports be connected by rail for improved evacuation of cargoes to the hinterland.

Buhari said his administration was committed to rebuilding infrastructure that supports multimodal means of transportation from the ports to the hinterland.

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This administration that I am privileged to lead is committed to rebuilding infrastructure that supports multimodal means of transportation from the ports to the hinterland. We understand that this interconnectivity will improve the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic competitiveness as targeted under the Economic Recovery and Growth. So for starters, I have directed that every port must have the complement of rail infrastructure. Our projections are that by the end of 2021, we will have standard gauge railway across the main North-South trading route. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have insisted on the stimulation activities on our inland waterways. Major inland river channels are being dredged with adequate channel markings for ease of navigation all the way through the Eastern and, Northern parts of the country.â&#x20AC;?

Buhari, who disclosed that factor deciding the competitiveness of ports is the efficiency with which cargoes are evacuated to and from the ports, said connectivity is an area in which port operations in Africa needs a lot of intervention.

He, however, expressed confidence that the conference would collectively seek lasting solutions to the challenges that port operations face on the continent.

He also disclosed that even though Africa

is divided by physical national boundaries, they are all connected by water which is a natural source of connectivity.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The waters are a natural source of connectivity and they seem like a subtle message that we must work together for the good of all our countries. This, in a sense, seems to be a divine ordination of our desire for continental integration. Even though we have physical national boundaries that separate us, the waters are a natural source of connectivity and they seem like a subtle message that we must work together for the good of all our countries. This is why there could be no better time than now to hold this conference.â&#x20AC;?

Bala-Usman said there is no doubt that Africa holds a special place in the global maritime space, with 39 of the 54 countries on the continent endowed with littoral assets, the development of the continent is to a large extent tied to the optimal exploitation of its vast maritime resources. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no doubt that one of the determinant factors for the relevance of ports is the speed and seamlessness with which owners of cargo are able to move their consignments out of the ports and that Africa really does still have a lot of work to do in this area,â&#x20AC;? she stated.

EfďŹ cient Port Operation The NPA had as part of its effort to ensure efficient port operation on behalf of the federal government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Guangzhou Port Authority, the largest comprehensive hub Port in Southern China.

The MoU which was signed on the sideline of the conference would strengthen communication and cooperation thereby enabling synergy and collaboration amongst the two ports authorities. Guangzhou is the main transit Port of raw materials, energy supplies and Foreign Trade as well as the key support chain in Southern Region of China.

The agreement would also deepen infrastructural and port scientific technological developments including matters bordering on capacity building, efficient customer service delivery, administrative excellence and greater operational efficiency.

Other subjects captured in the MoU would comprise joint promotion of effective logistics in trade facilitation in order to enhance port capacity for the service of regional economic growth on non -committal basis with information sharing being the main pivot and foundation of all consultations.

Furthermore, the MoU would prioritise the advancement of green Port development and environmental protection such as energy saving and emission reduction.

THIS WEEKEND WEEKLY MAGAZINE

Suzzie Odebis: Giving Young Girls a Platform to Excel

NEWS METRO THISLIFE ART WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com 08152252325

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COVER SUZZIE ODEBISI: GIVING YOUNG GIRLS A PLATFORM TO EXCEL

Suzzie Odeniyi popularly known as Suzzie D, a leading Nigerian entrepreneur in the media, fashion and modeling industry in Europe is in her mid-20s. She doubles as the CEO of Suzzie D Celebrity Network and Suzzie D Model Management, the latter being where she manages international beauty queens and models from different parts of the world. She is also responsible for several successful pageantries and competitions worldwide, one of such being the Luxury Model Search Nigeria, an initiative that seeks to discover the next female Nigerian leader. In this interview with MARY NNAH she revealed that the quest of the modeling search is to find just one girl out of a pool of talented young girls with exemplary leadership skills. Excerpts if you have a specific plan and have strategies behind this, with a little help from well-wishers and with God, you can make it in Nigeria.

One of the strategies for the Luxury Model Search Nigeria competition is to find a female entrepreneur, someone with an entrepreneurial spirit. The competition is to give the girls the platform to advance themselves. We are not saying you should necessarily become a model if you win the competition. Yes, modeling is fine but after a year of your reign, you can decide to go into the line of acting or fashion and our job will be to support, push and give you the guidance that you need.

So, this initiative is really opened to a broad number of people and things. My major reason of doing this is to create opportunities for girls.

Tell us about your journey from being a model to a manager of models?

It is actually a funny story. When I was growing up, I was very tall but I lost my height as I grew older. But then, I was very tall and people around me were always spurring me to go to London and get into modelling; because Ireland is a very small market and if you are going to make it in modeling, London was the place to go. It was extremely tough to get signed to an agency at that time in Ireland because of my skin colour, although things have changed now, as agencies have started taking in black girls as models. But when I was trying to get signed, I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t because there was no demand for black girls then. So it was so tough and ridiculous.

So I decided that if they wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sign me on their agencies, I could learn how to manage myself. Since no one was ready to give me a chance, I just adapted to freelance modeling where I contacted photographers, brands and managers of companies, telling them that I was available if they were looking for a model. I sent them my pictures and with that I was able to get a few jobs here and there. It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like big but I still pushed my way into the market and became known. That kind of opened my horizon and mindset. I also got more contracts than if I were signed to an agency. I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have had the relationship I had if I was signed to an agency. I started getting jobs for not just myself but for other models and that was how it started and here I am today. So, I think that sometimes when the door is closed, it is closed for a reason.

I made a good sum of money just doing freelance modelling, which I was able to save to start my agency. So while I was working part time, I was doing my modelling even while going to school too. And with all the experiences I gathered over the years as a model and in beauty pageants, I was able to start my own agency.

You went to Ireland at the age of five, so how long were you there before you decided to come back to Nigeria?

From five years of age I have been in Ireland all along for like about 19 years, till I decided to come to Nigeria last year November. I actually came home sometime around July 2018 and stayed till September 2018. I came back in November and since then, we have been planning this. It is important to let people know who I am and what I do because a lot of people want to know about Suzzie D, what I do and what I aim to achieve with this project.

What exactly is Luxury Model Search Nigeria all about?

Luxury Model Search is a competition which is on a journey to discover the next female leader in Nigeria and provide talented young girls with exemplary leadership skills and the opportunity to break into the fashion and entertainment industries.

Luxury Model Search will be a model search with one simple goal: finding the one girl with outstanding skills that can stand on her own as a leader and potentially a force worth reckoning with.

Luxury model search Nigeria is on the quest of finding the next entrepreneur.

This entrepreneur will make a change in an area that they feel strongly about- film star, pop icon, super model, whatever your niche is. The main task of competition is to discover and nurture talented aspiring models. In addition, it embraces all kinds of girls from different walks of life.

Auditions for the Luxury Model Search will hold on June 2019 in Port Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos. After all the auditions, 20 girls would emerge as finalists and will progress to the grand finale holding on Sunday, August 4, 2019 at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos.

If you were not modelling and managing models, what else would you have done?

I wold have been a detective because I just love investigation and I love solving issues and crime. I actually wanted to join the police force in Ireland but my mom said no, I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let you. It is too dangerous. So, if I had my way, I probably would have been in the Irish Police Force.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your background in?

My background is in fashion, but I have been managing models and international beauty queens for about eight years now. I initially started in Ireland where I grew up. I was born in Ibadan, Nigeria but moved to Dublin, Ireland when I was five years of age and I have been there all along. There, I started my modelling agency where I manage models and also beauty pageants. My model agency is called Suzzie D Model Management. I am the owner of the Most Beautiful Girl in Ireland Beauty Pageant competition and also the owner of Most Beautiful Girl in the World competition, which every year we take all the international winners from all over the world and hold a competition either in Dubai or Korea.

So, why have you come to Nigeria?

The reason I came to Nigeria, I suppose is because of my mom who lives here in Nigeria. She kept on telling

Odeniyi

me I must come home and do something for my people. So, I have come back to do exactly that and I am starting off with a competition called, the Luxury Model Search Nigeria (LMSN). However, if anyone had told me that I would be here in Nigeria this year organising a competition of this nature, I would said

it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t impossible because I do my business mostly in Europe and Dubai.

But I do not know what really dawned on me to come to Nigeria and give our girls the opportunity to excel in their chosen careers. I want people to know that it is not only when you are outside of Nigeria that you can make it, but

What are the things you look out for in selecting participants in this competition?

We are not just looking for beautiful girls. We are looking for someone who we can go into business with because at the end of the day, modeling, fashion and beauty is a business, apart from the glamour that comes with it. If I speak to a potential model, in one minute, I can easily know if the person will be successful or not. I always can tell by the way they speak and what is going up in their heads. If I ask a model, where do you see yourself in two year time? If she says she does not know, I know that she actually does not know. But if I ask another model the same questions and she outlines what she wants to achieve

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COVER SUZZIE ODEBISI: GIVING YOUNG GIRLS A PLATFORM TO EXCEL

Odeniyi

and how she will go about it, I certainly know that she has entrepreneurial mindset. So I am more drawn to this than just beauty.

What will the winners of the competition get?

The winner will get to sign an international modeling contract with me and winner also gets one million naira cash prize. There will be PR engagements to do, all the adverts and branding amongst others. The first runner up gets N500,000 and gets signed to an international modeling contract, while the second runner up gets N250,000 and gets signed to a modeling contract as well.

What makes the Luxury Model Search, Nigeria different from other beauty pageant shows?

A beauty pageant only concentrates on beauty and modeling. There might be other things like supporting charities here and there but what differentiates us is that we are saying to you that you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t actually have to become a model. We are saying to them that you can use this platform to build or pursue whatever you want to become. Do you want to become a women right advocate, you want to open up your own organisation or you want to do something that is modeling related? We are here to support you. This gives people a platform, and that is why it is called Luxury Model Search Nigeria because it is luxury, it is unique. It is not just something you see every day because not everyone is blessed with an entrepreneurial mindset. It is something that is given to you by God and that is

Odeniyi

why it is different.

So, LMSN stands out from the average modeling competitions because while other platforms and competitions have a certain size and weight restrictions, we are open to every girl as long as you are smart, Nigerian, between the ages of 18 and 25, unmarried, available to travel internally, without tattoos and not less than five feet seven.

Why is your interest in entrepreneurship, modeling and fashion?

My mom and my dad were business owners. So, I grew up in a household where both parents were in business. My mom had a fashion line. She sold cloths, gold, bags and shoes and my dad had an oil company. These two businesses were different but it still came down to business. What is your profit and breakeven? What is your overhead? What are you spending on? I always listened to them while I was growing and these rubbed off on me. I always knew that I will go into a business but I knew I was interested in fashion.

Were there times you competed in any beauty pageants?

I competed in the Miss Nigeria, Ireland where I came as the top five, and also competed in Elite Model Look, Ireland of which I was a semi-finalist. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t win the crown but the competitions gave me the confidence and experience to become who I am today. I always feel that if you are entering into a competition, it is not about being the winner that is most important but the confidence these gave to me has been very useful till now. For

me, it is especially about the confidence you build in yourself.

Tell us a bit about your educational background and growing up?

I moved out of Nigeria when I was five years old. My mom, Aderonke Hassan, is into politics at the moment. She went from business to politics. My dad has retired now but he managed his own oil company for so many years. The most I learnt was from my mom because my dad was always in and out of Ireland but I still learnt a bit of business skills from my dad. I went to primary school, secondary school and college in Ireland.

I studied fashion and business at the University of Limerick, Ireland. I am always travelling, managing girls. I am Nigerian by root, even though I have lived in Ireland for 19 years. I am Irish but I am more of a Nigerian than Irish.

Nigeria is my root and it is always important not to forget about your home and always give back.

How are you able to manage the numerous portfolios you currently manage?

When we get jobs, we get them booked in advance and I have people who work for me there. I always monitor what is going on. To manage all these things, you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be specifically in one place. I can be in Canada and still be running my business here in Nigeria.

We have the internet. So, for me itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not hard. If I need to be in a meeting I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t attend physically, my representative will go there and give me the feedback.

We also skype, this way they can see me and we can talk. I can only be in one place at one particular time but it

doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really affect my work. If a client wants to meet a girl, I can email her and tell her where she has to be at a particular time and the job is done.

So, the power of the internet is very important in the field.

You have you been in the modeling industry for like nine years, so, what is your assessment?

I am more conversant with the industry in Ireland. In Ireland it is tough, especially being a black woman in business. Most businesses are white dominated so when you see a black woman enter the market, it is a threat to them. They will rather give a job to one of their own. Even though I am Irish, they will rather give a job to one of their own than give me because they are just connected to other persons because of their skin colour. So racism still exits and it is part of life. However, I do like challenges and I always say to God make a way for me where there seems to be no way. I do not give up easily as I just really push myself. My mom was saying to me that if I started a modeling industry here in Nigeria, it would have been well advanced than it is now. I did not let the politics over there stop me? but here I am today.

What is your assessment of the industry in Nigeria?

In Ireland, only a small percentage of people are o p e n t o c h a n g e b u t here in Nigeria, they want change.

N i g e r i a n s a re t i re d o f d o i n g t h e s a m e o l d t h i n g s . I t i s m o re re f re s h i n g t o b e a ro u n d y o u r o w n p e o p l e a n d d oing what you love.

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MUSIC SHOWBIZ

â&#x20AC;ŚYour weekly entertainment delight

NOLLYWOOD

Abuja Gets Another Taste of Jazz and Whisky Stories by Vanessa Obioha

T

rue to its word, premium whisky brand Johnnie Walker rocked the city of Abuja last weekend with its unique blend of jazz and whisky concert. It has become a culture of the brand to curate the best live music experiences for its teeming fans since it berthed the Johnnie Jazz and Whisky concert in 2017.

The series have seen artistes such as Brymo, Asa, Femi Kuti among others thrilling audience with electrifying performances that often leave them with a lingering feeling of music ecstacy. The mission so far for the brand is to create an experience where the old and new stars can perform to a motley audience, thus building evergreen moments.

Returning for the third time to the city of Abuja, the brand threw all in the ring to give lovers of the whisky brand and jazz music an unforgettable experience.

Expectedly, the grassy grounds of Central Park in Abuja brimmed with happy feet, eager to revel in the live performances lined up for the night.

In its usual tradition, the night was filled with music and flavours. At the mini bar set up for the occasion, attendees clinked glasses enjoying the different cocktail flavours. The atmosphere of camaraderie was heightened by the bubbly chatter and laughter of guests who clapped hands, pat backs and captured moments at the photo booth as they await the musical performances. For this edition, Sir Shina Peters, Patoranking and Niniola were the lineup artistes.

Immediately, the host announced Niniola on stage, the beautifully decorated seats on the grass began to fill up. Those who were unlucky to find a seat didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mind standing as long as they caught their favourite act on stage.

Since her debut album â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;This Is Meâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in 2017, Niniola has constantly pushed the envelope, positioning herself as a reckoning force in the music industry. Last year, she took the bold step to fund her own concert, thereby making a statement about her ability to depend on her craft for success.

That hat-trick must have paid well for her as her schedule gets tighter each passing day.

At the JJW event last weekend, she proved once again why she is the acclaimed Queen of Afro-House.

Starting with a jazzy rendition of popular songs, including American singer Jill Scottâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;A Long Walkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;,Niniola mesmerised the crowd with her voice.

Her next set saw the artiste switching the tempo to an upbeat one as she sang â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Ibadiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. This set was characterized by rigorous dancing. A dancer herself, she didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t shy away from the challenge poised by her eclectic dancers. She walked into the crowd, displayed her dance moves which

Patoranking at Johnnie Jazz and Whisky

elicited cheers from the crowd before two members of the audience joined her on stage to dance.

What made this particular set a feisty one was the energy the live band Coded Vibes brought on stage. They exuded so much energy and vivacity such that it was evident that they really took time to rehearse their performances. And the crowd enjoyed every bit of it. When she performed â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Banaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; they joined in the chorus heartily; and when she segued into â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Sickerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, they put on their dancing shoes and gave her the Zanku moves.

As if that was not enough, she again changed the upbeat tempo to a Fuji one, eliciting loud cheers and claps. Her ability to transition smoothly from one genre to another while still keeping the rhythm of the song is a testament of how well she has mastered her artistry.

She proudly told the crowd that â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are taking our culture to the world.â&#x20AC;?

If the crowd thought they had seen enough of the Afro-House queen, they were in for a surprise when she performed â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Maradonaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Expecting the usual beat, Niniola again turned the performance into a Makossa soiree. But just when they were getting too familiar with the beat, she switched into a jazzy note, then back to an upbeat. Clearly, Niniola was just having fun on stage and her fans were drawn to her enchanting persona. To end her performance, she sampled some songs in Afrobeat, before taking a bow with Femi Kutiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Beng Beng Bengâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Sir Shina Peters at Johnnie Jazz and Whisky

Not to be outdone by Niniola, Patoranking came on stage all fired up after a short interlude. Performing with his live band Fire Republiq, he was introduced on stage with the famous Buju Bantonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s song â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Our Father in Zionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. In his usual tradition, he did a freestyle where he talked about his rise to stardom while encouraging the crowd to be optimistic and believe that they were born to win.

The crowd however were eager to hear him perform his popular songs.

Kicking into full gear, he whet their musical appetite with â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Suh differentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, before seamlessly segueing into â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Love You Dieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Like Niniolaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s performance, the backup singers added flair to his performance with their different voice ranges. Patoranking must have also borrowed a leaf from Niniola as he also infused Makossa sounds to his performances.

But not for long as he performed his 2016 sexy hit â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Daniella Whineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. As if on cue, ladies began to display different sexy moves. The atmosphere suddenly became overly electrified. Still maintaining the tempo, Patoranking took the music lovers down memory lane with one of his breakout songs â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Girlie ohâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, before launching into â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;No Kissingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Done with the sexy and love songs, Patoranking went inspirational, singing â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Make Amâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; followed by a medley of Bob Marleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s songs including â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;One Loveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. He followed it with â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Alubarikaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. He would later round up his set with songs such as

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Confirmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Another Levelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Availableâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;My Womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Saving the best for last, Sir Shina Peters waltzed into the stage with a mission: to prove that he is evergreen. He gladly told the crowd that he started hip hop in 1990.

He proved it by giving a hippy rendition of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Loke Lokeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Not done, he went further to show that he was the first Yoruba musician to rap by doing a rap style for the audience.

For most part of his act, Peters reminded the audience that the young shall grow and the old shall not die. This was evidently seen in his energetic and engaging performances where he urged the audience to put on their dancing shoes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My kind of music is not the type that one sits still, you must dance,â&#x20AC;? he told them.

The crowd cheered him on when he started singing â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;If you love Shina Peters, dance to ny music.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; With each act saw the crowd cheering him on. Their applause apparently touched him as he spontaneously began to pray for them.

Though he performed a handful of his songs, however the crowd were eager to hear him sing â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Ijo Shinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Whether it was deliberate or not, Peters decided to end his performance just when his backup singers started belting the lyrics of the song.

Irrespective of that abrupt end, the crowd still went home with relishing tales of the night.

Burna Boyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s New Commercial Says It All One needs no soothsayer to see that Burna Boy is having the time of his life.

Just a look at the new commercial with Star Lager Beer says it all.

Making the announcement on his Twitter page on Thursday, March 14, 2019, Burna unveiled his new commercial with Star Lager Beer which is themed â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;come to the brighter sideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

The TVC sees Burna posing for the camera while several shots are taken.

From the studio to the bar, Burna is projected as the superstar he is right now as the jingle which he composed played in the background.

Indeed, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a well deserved crown for the artiste which turning point came last year with the release of his critically acclaimed album â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Yeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Early this year, he was announced the brand ambassador of the beer brand, the first of the kind for the brand from the

stables of Nigerian Breweries Plc. As part of his role as the new ambassador of Star, the new campaign will also see Burna feature in the billboard ads.

Speaking after the unveiling of the ad, Burna expressed his delight in starring in his first commercial: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have never been much of an actor, so even though the cameras were on, what you see in this ad is me just being myself and celebrating the brighter side with Star.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m thrilled to be part of the Star family and I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to partner with Star to create more magic and delight my fans.â&#x20AC;?

Currently, Burna Boy is considered one of the biggest artists from Africa with impressive streaming numbers across Spotify, Apple music, Deezer and Youtube, making him one of the most bankable music superstars of his generation.

Burna Boy

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Canon Hosts PrivatePress ScreeningofKunle Afolayanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sNew Film By the time the end credit of Kunle Afolayanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s anticipated movie, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Mokalikâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (Mechanic), began to roll on the big screen, a loud applause erupted in the packed hall of Filmhouse theatre at TwinWaters, Victoria Island, Lagos.

From the beginning to the end, the invited media personalities and guests couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hold their laughter and giggles as each scene unfolds a comedic drama.

Shot on Canon EOS C300 Mark II, with a range of Canon Cine lenses, it was obvious that guests were enthralled by, how crispy picture quality meets a directorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interpretation of an intriguing story of love and ambition that situates lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happenstances in a typical Nigerian mechanic workshop.

Supported by Canon Central and North Africa, leader in imaging solutions, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Mokalikâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, the latest effort from Afolayanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Golden Effects Pictures stars award-winning singer, Simi, alongside other prominent actors like Femi Adebayo, Charles Okocha, Faithia Williams, Lateef Oladimeji, and comic actors like Wale Akorede (Okunu), Ayo Ogunshina (Papa Lolo) and Dayo Akinpelu (Alabi Yellow).

Much praise went to the young actor Tony Afolayan, the directorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nephew who played the lead character Ponmile. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Mokalikâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; follows the career of Ponmile, an 11-year-old boy from the middle-class suburbs who spends the day as a lowly apprentice at a mechanic workshop in order to view life from the other side of the tracks.

When his father arrives to take him home, the young lad has to make up his mind if he wants to return to school or take on his apprenticeship full time.

The private press screening which had Canon showcasing the full range of Professional Canon cameras and lenses such as the CN-E14mm, CNE24mm, CN-E35mm, CN-E50mm, CN-E85mm and CN-E135mm among others was graced by exclusive guests from the media, the Nigerian film industry, and cast and crew of the movie. Some of the prominent faces include Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism in Lagos state, Steve Ayorinde, convener of Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), Chioma Ude, Toni Kan, Tunde Kelani and Mahmood Balogun Speaking at the screening, Afolayan

L-R: Amine Djouahra, Senior Sales & Marketing Manager - B2C, Canon CNA; Tushar Vashnavi, Senior Sales Manager - B2C, Canon CNA; Omotayo Omodia, Country Manager, Canon Nigeria; and Kunle Afolayan, award-winning Nigerian ďŹ lmmaker and CEO, Golden EďŹ&#x20AC;ects Pictures

said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mokalik is an ambitious film project that tells a story which is unique and relevant to our society. It beautifully highlights diversity while distinctively addressing the issues around choice.

Creating this movie has been an amazing experience and Canon made the experience even better with their support. The Canon EOS C300 Mark II â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Stunning 4K quality and versatility allowed me as a producer to experience creative vision in stunning cinematic details and provides footage suitable for extensive post-production work.â&#x20AC;?

Also remarking on the project, the Senior Sales & Marketing Manager -

ChiefDaddyNowonNetflix The EbonyLife acclaimed film â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Chief Daddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is now available on Netflix worldwide.

The Niyi Akinmolayan film, which enjoyed critical acclaim in Nigeria and Ghana, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Chief Daddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; was third highest grossing movie in Nollywood box office history and No. 1 Nollywood film of 2018. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Chief Daddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is the third EbonyLife Films title to be acquired by Netflix following the successful Fifty (2015) and The Wedding Party (2016). With this partnership, Netflix takes another box office sensation from the EbonyLife Films stable to a global audience. Ebonylife Films has grossed over 1.4 Billion at the box office in less than 5 years.

Executive Producer Mo Abudu is excited that the African diaspora will finally be able to access â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Chief Daddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on Netflix. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are extremely thrilled by this wonderful opportunity to bring another great movie to the global audience even while it continues its spectacular run at the cinema. We are pleased by the opportunity that this Netflix partnership provides to meet the huge interest in the diaspora community in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Chief Daddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Chief Daddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; follows the story of Lagos-based billionaire whose sudden passing sees his family, mistresses and personal staff scramble for a slice of his fortune. But thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a catch â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a clause in his will requires that named beneficiaries work collaboratively on his funeral or risk losing everything. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Chief Daddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; tests rivalry and greed drivers to the limit.

The film became available on Netflix on March 15.

B2C, Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA), Amine Djouahra, lauded the technical brilliance witnessed in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Mokalikâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, calling it a testament to Canonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pioneering vision in the realm of serious cinema production. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At Canon, we are constantly seeking to connect with the filmmaking community, especially Nollywood as it allows us to become a part of one of the largest film industries globally. We are glad to be a part of this bold new technology that helps to make amazing projects like this possible.â&#x20AC;?

He added that â&#x20AC;&#x153;at Canon we continue to listen to our customers when

developing the product range to ensure our innovations meet their needs, and enabling story tellers for creative filmmaking.

Guests at the event also witnessed the launch of the first ever video competition for cinematographers in Nigeria under the Campaign #MYNAIJAMYCANON. The competition is part of Canonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts in enabling and inspiring cinematography talent in Africa. The brand also announced that the overall winner will win a cinematic camera while the first and second runners-up will go home with canon equipment worth $600 and $400 respectively.respectively.

HymnodiaFacultyWaivesProbationAsContestHeatsUp One of the best hymntestants (contestants) in the ongoing Hymnodia reality TV show, Kenneth Ekhuemelo, failed to maintain his presence in the frontline positions as the judges announced the top two outstanding performers of Stanza seven. Ekhuemelo, who was one of the top two performers in Stanza six has been maintaining a great showing in the contest thus far with his singing. The bass singer exhibited confidence in his appearance, stagecraft and composure, as he rendered the self-composed hymn â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Have Mercy on Meâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, inspired

by Psalm 51, but it was not

enough to save him.

Replacing him in the top two for the Stanza was the broad-ranging soprano, Rachael Darley for her sterling composition titled â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Amenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; while the consistent Olumide Dada retained his top two place for his composition â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Heal Me Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Taking the judges seat for Stanza seven were legendary musician Onyeka Onwenu; Dupe Ige Kachi, and Sunday Olawuwo who is the music director of Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos. As usual, they were joined by Benneth Ogbeiwi, Dean of the Hymnstitute.

Other performers of the edition were Mobolanle Oladimeji, Jemine Edukugho, Juliet Nwabia, Uduakobong Akpan, Blessing Agu and Abigael Nnadi. The judges generally lauded all the hymntestants for their display of talents that led to wonderful hymns writing and rendition.

According to the judges, their hymns aptly captured the essence of each relevant scripture including the spirit of the Lenten period and Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suffering on the cross. This was further reinforced when the Dean of the Hymnstitute announced that there will be no probation for the week to palpable relief.

MiamiArtWeekDedicatesFairtoLagosPerformances

Mo Abudu

Lagos will take centre stage at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Miami Art Week as organisers make preparations for the annual event. This year, the art fair which holds during the first week in December in Florida, USA, will devote one of its major fairs to African Contemporary Art. Tagged â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Ă&#x2C6;kĂł Miamiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, the name of the fair is derived from the native name of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most populous city and one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fastest growing cities â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ă&#x2C6;kĂł (Lagos). Ă&#x2C6;kĂł Miami is the premier international art fair dedicated solely to

Contemporary African Art during Miami Art Week.

This is the first time Africa will be taking centre stage at this global event which will host over 20 international art fairs, 1,500 galleries and over 15,000 artists. According to Toks Ogun, the curator of Ă&#x2C6;kĂł Miami, â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the first week of December of every year, Miami becomes the epicenter of the art world as it hosts thousands of artists, galleries and international art fairs. Ă&#x2C6;kĂł Miami will bring to the world stage the most prolific and profound works that Africa has to offer. It will

feature art from both masters and emerging artists on the African scene. An extensive and enlightening educational program that includes discussions, workshops and other cultural immersions from the African landscape will also be showcased at Ă&#x2C6;kĂł Miami. This focus on African art is an indication that African artists are making significant inroads onto the global scene.

Bonhams, Sothebys, Christies and other renowned International Auction Houses are beginning to pay serious attention to usâ&#x20AC;?.

32

F R I DAY Ëž Í°Í°Ë&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

NEWS

YoungGlobalLeader:WorldEconomicForumPicksAdebolaWilliams Stories by Mary Nnah Adebola Williams, the cofounder and chief executive officer of RED|For Africa, the continentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading media company, has been selected to join other change-makers in the Forum of Young Global Leaders (YGL), an independent organisation under the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Williams was selected among thousands of applications from across the world following a rigorous vetting process designed to identify global leaders and young visionaries working to shape the future through inspired leadership.

Created to recognise the most distinguished young leaders from around the world, the Forum creates experiences for next-generation leaders to enhance their skills, broaden their world view through a peer network that will challenge innovators, and influence them to do more and be more via a series of engagements from Davos to Harvard.

Head of the Forum of Young Global Leaders at the World Economic Forum, Mariah Levin, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every year, the Forum of Young Global Leaders recognizes the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading change-makers under 40. Our role is to further cultivate their ability and influence to improve the state of the world,â&#x20AC;?

Speaking on the announcement, Adebola Williams acknowledged the importance

Adebola Williams

of driving economic advancement collectively, especially by recognising specific issues in different African communities and addressing them through global collaborations and sustainable projects. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The world is witnessing fast-paced transformation across many sectors - social, economic and technological â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and Africa cannot afford to be left behind. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In order to build a continent that is ready for the future, there has to be strategic investments

in young leaders who would in turn invest their talent, time, and energy to address critical challenges, achieve global relevance, and improve multifaceted growth for all communities,â&#x20AC;? Williams noted.

A pioneer at the intersection of media, democracy and social change, Williams has been profiled by Forbes and CNN as the man who helped elect a trifecta of Presidents in Africa.

He co-founded and runs RED Africa, Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest

portfolio of youth media brands engaging the continentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s youth with leading brands like Red Media Africa, StateCraft Inc, The Future Awards Africa and YNaija.com.

His journey in media and television began with advocacy for youth and good governance.

He co-founded EnoughisEnough (EiE), Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foremost civic participation platform and a premier voice for young people on politics. He resigned after leading EIEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s board to steer the rebranding of the current Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari.

He pioneered a realigned national discourse and optimised media engagement, changing longstanding perceptions and swaying the elections.

A consequent success in Ghana helped the opposition candidate win the presidency on his third attempt, and Adebola currently consults in other regions in the continent.

Williams inspires hope and faith from Africa to the world with his message of enterprise and leadership, routinely received by a social media audience 200,000 people strong.

His 2017 cross continental speaking tour included several conferences and top ivy leagues schools Harvard, Columbia, Yale & Oxford. His address during the 2017 Obama summit went viral and earned a rare standing ovation from the former president of the United States of America, Barack Obama.

Williams is a Mandela Washington Fellow, a member

Access, Diamond Bank Host International Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Conference

Herbert Wigwe (Centre) and members of Access Bank W community at The W Initiative International Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day conference 2019

Access and Diamond Bank commemorated the International Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day by hosting female entrepreneurs to a conference on March 14, 2019 at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The event themed â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Think W... Build Smart and Innovateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; featured insightful sessions, as the speakers highlighted issues and solutions on how women can effectively leverage on technology and finance to build profitable and innovative businesses.

While delivering the keynote speech, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Women, over the years, have continued to break aboundaries, reinvent the status-quo and take advantage of the opportunities provided by technology and quality finan-

cial systems to make things better in the society. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This year, the International Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Conference, has been designed to educate women on how best to leverage innovations because we have come to the realization that female-owned businesses also hold the key to the growth and stability of our economy.â&#x20AC;?

Wigwe said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a bank, we are in full support of a gender-balanced society, this is why, through our Access Bank W Initiative, we educate women through our capacity building and mentorship programs, to ensure that they build and sustain brands that are globally recognised. We also have funding opportunities that are tailor-made for women and their businesses.â&#x20AC;?

This was followed by a goodwill message from the British Deputy High Com-

missioner to Nigeria, Laure Beaufils, as she advocated more support for female entrepreneurs and called for solidarity amongst women to facilitate gender parity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is commendable to see corporates step up to bridge the divide by providing women with platforms and education to help build successful businesses. Globally, women need to serve as support systems for one another and adopt a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Pull-Her-Upâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; mentality, as against pulling each other down. Only then can we achieve the balance that we seek,â&#x20AC;? she said.

The event also featured two panel sessions, with speakers providing insights into how female entrepreneurs can access investment opportunities and build smart businesses using technology, product, and service differentiation.

Other business leaders and personalities that participated in the panel sessions include Bonaventure Okhaimo, Chief Operating Officer, Development Bank of Nigeria; Titi Osuntoki, Executive Director, Business Banking, Access Bank Plc; Adebola Adefila, Chief Executive Officer, Banrut Roll; Toyin Onigbanjo, Founder, August Secrets; Chukwuka Nonye, Founding Partner, Cuici Consulting and Director General, Delta Economic Summit Group; Patricia Nzolatima, Chairwoman, Bizolly Holding, among others.

The networking event ended with a grand dinner followed by an after-party anchored by ace Nigerian Disc Jockey, DJ Spinall and performance by Falz the Bahd Guy.

of the African Leadership Network, a British Council global changemaker. He was awarded an ArchBishop Desmond Tutu Fellowship and named by the UN as one of 100 Most Influential People of African Descent he sits on the boards of Africa Business Brain Trust and chairs the Young Entrepreneurs Network board.

Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been named by Forbes as one of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best entrepreneurs under 30, and recipient of the CNBC Young Business Leader of the Year award.

Past YGLs include former UK Prime Minister, David Cameron; co-founder and chief executive officer, Google, USA, Larry Page; Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg; co-founder and executive chairman of the Alibaba Group, Jack Ma; Professor of Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, Esther Duflo, amongst others.

Created in 2004 by Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum as a way to help the world meet increasingly complex and interdependent challenges, Adebola Williams will join a multi-stakeholder community of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next-generation leaders in influencing decisionmaking through the contribution of new ideas, perspectives and energy.

Association of Interior Designers to Elevate Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Economy The Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN) is bent on elevating Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy as well as Africa through its bespoke and excellent interior ideas set for this year, while nurturing young ones into the system.

The association made this known at its handover ceremony to a new National Executive Council in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The founder and outgoing president of IDAN, Ms. Titi Ogufere, while expressing great confidence and trust in the new executives, reinforced her vision by stating that the organisation was ready to fly under the new administration of Mrs Omon Anenih-Mordi as president.

She added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have no doubt that she and her team of new executives will lead the association to achieve even greater things with the support of the members.â&#x20AC;?

Reacting to her new position, Anenih-Mordi told newsmen she felt elated. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel a huge responsibility and a huge amount of trust has been put on me by the members who nominated and voted for me. so, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take that likely at allâ&#x20AC;?.

She further expressed gratitude. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m extremely grateful with the newly elected executives. I know that with the new executives, we will be able to do more for IDANâ&#x20AC;?.

According to the president, part of their focus had been on education and promoting interior designing as a recognised and valued profession.

She added that they would carry on in that light by going back to what the objectives of the association are and trying to further that for the interest of the industry and the economy as a whole.

She said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Education will first be for the general public to understand who an interior designer is, what we do and what we are about. We also need to inform our government and policy makers because in developing policy itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to understand the industry.â&#x20AC;?

For Anenih-Mordi, the third will be potential and aspiring practising designers and interior designers professionals, educating them to ensure that when they go out and take on jobs in the public, they actually know what they are doing and capacity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For the last 11 years, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen the association grow and evolved and even though I did serve as secretary-general years ago, what I will be bringing in is years of experience and perspective of the members. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This will be in terms of the things that affect various business owners and interior designers as well as furniture manufacturers and being able to meet them and their issues at the point of needs.â&#x20AC;?

Founded in 2007, IDAN remains the highest authority and voice for the Interior Design profession in Nigeria, promoting, advancing, advocating, establishing superior levels of excellence and building a consensus and community for interior design in Nigeria.

33

F R I DAY Ëž Í°Í°Ë&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

ART WEEKEND

â&#x20AC;ŚFor pure art enthusiasts

A Book Against Child Sexual Abuse The current spate of reported cases of child sexual abuse has motivated the author of family life-related publications and life coach, Bisi Adewale to launch a new book titled,â&#x20AC;&#x153;Protecting Your Children From Sexual Abuse.â&#x20AC;?YINKAOLATUNBOSUN writes From generation to generation, sex has been regarded as a taboo subject for many parents to discuss with children.

While some children may have learnt about sexual intercourse and reproductory life through science classes, science textbooks are not designed to educate children on the dangerous trend of sexual abuse.

In his research, Bisi Adewale discovered through a survey conducted that 77per cent of the persons interviewed were never taught by parents about sex.

This fact was corroborated by Mrs Yomi Adewale who said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of parents donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what to say to children on sexual education.â&#x20AC;?

In this new literary effort titled, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Protecting Your Children From Sexual Abuseâ&#x20AC;?, Adewale recounts 51 heart-rending stories of child sexual abuse, some already reported in the media while others were learnt during counselling for couples and others in relationships. For the author, sex reports involving underage children have escalated to a very alarming stage which necessitated his writing the book.

During a press briefing on the book held recently in Ikeja, Lagos, the author expressed his concern on the rise of sexual abuse among underage children. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I got provoked to finally write this book after someone sent a video of little school children performing oral sex for each other in their school compound. It was really disgusting. I knew I had to do something right away, having delayed for years,â&#x20AC;? he explained.

While navigating the subject matter of sexual predators and paedophiles, he insisted that many children are molested by people who appear to have genuine interest in them. It could be relatives, domestic staff or even school teachers.

What makes it worse for the victims of sexual abuse is that the culprits never face the wrath of the law because more often than not, cases are not reported.

And when they are, the Nigeria Police

have challenges with prosecuting the accused diligently. One of such challenges is the parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; interference who may prefer to settle out of court.

Still, stories around this societal menace have soured in recent times.

From a child being molested by a sibling to another being molested by a courier

Leading Art Curator, Okwui Enwezor Bows Out Yinka Olatunbosun Barely a month after the art community in Nigeria and beyond lost one of its frontline curators, Bisi Silva to cancer, another Nigerian curator, art critic, writer and poet, Okwui Enwezor has died in Munich at 55, after a long battle with cancer.

Enwezor who has curated largescale exhibitions and biennials on the global stage including the 2002 edition of Documenta, an exhibition in Germany which takes place once in five years. He was the curator behind the 2008 GwangjuBienniale in South Korea, the 2012 Paris Triennale and the 2015 Venice Biennale, making him the first African born curator for the exhibition in its 120 years. Between 2005 and 2009, he was the Dean of San Francisco Art Institute and from 2011 till 2018, he was the director of a leading Munich museum, Haus Der Kunst.

Born Okwuchukwu Emmanuel Enwezor in Calabar, he held a Bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in Political Science from the New Jersey City University. He reportedly studied only for a semester at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka before leaving for the US. Upon his completion of the first degree programme, he began to perform poetry at downtown Manhattan at clubs, cafes and

man, the moral decadence is on a slide.

Even the religious institutions are not spared in this anomaly. As a matter of fact, many who pledged celibacy are actively sexually involved with others within the convent- a supposed spiritual sanctuary. Many of the victims of sexual abuse have discovered that the experience is a life-time torture. Some victims have developed an insatiable appetite for sex or strange sexual behaviours.

The author identified the popularity of pornography to the spread of sexual abuses. In one of the reported stories in the book, a six-year old female pupil in a private school in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos was serially defiled by two teachers in the school. They both showed pornography on their laptop to the pupil during extra mural lessons and made her practice same on them. The little girl began to perform oral sex on her brother and that was how she was discovered by her mother and the sexual history was traced to the school teachers.

In another account, a woman discovered two months after her marriage that her husband was gay. He was introduced to homosexuality at age four by the houseboy and later got involved with the extra lesson teacher as well.

Adewale also highlighted in the book some of the tactics used by abusers to lure young children. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The sexual offender may engage the child in sexual acts through threats, violence, bribes, force, friendship, flattery, gifts, fake love, help, closeness, sympathy, empathy, intimidation, misrepresentation and other forms of coercion,â&#x20AC;? he pointed out.

Adewale said the book is not created to cause distrust in family and other settings, but to create awareness about the destructive nature of child sexual abuse.

The official launch of the book is on Sunday, March 31 on the occasion of the Lagos Parenting Summit which holds at The Real Place, Ikeja, Lagos.

Lagos International Jazz Festival Returns Yinka Olatunbosun

Enwezor

gallery openings. He co-founded a magazine of Contemporary African Art, NKA: Journal of Contemporary African Art with scholars like Okeke Agulu, Salah M. Hassan and Olu Oguibe. Its first edition was published in 1994. NKA drew international attention upon its arrival on the scene. Thus, he was invited to be a co-curator at the exhibition of African photography. The show was an illumination on several African artists like the Malian photographer,

Seydou Keita.

As the director of the 11th edition of Documenta, which is rated as of the best attended art shows, Enwezor was the first non-European to get the job. It was no wonder that half of the selected artists for the exhibition were from the developing world.

A cosmopolitan curator, he was ranked 24 in 2014 on the ArtReview list of the 100 most powerful people of the art world.

Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier jazz festival, Lagos International Jazz Festival is set for another resounding edition at its traditional venue, Freedom Park, Lagos. This edition which holds on April 29 and 30 is the 11th anniversary of the mega jazz festival.

Powered by Inspiro Productions, the festival is one of the highlights of the Jazz Appreciation Month in Lagos. This edition has as theme, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Music and The Creative Art as Tools for Addressing Irregular/ Illegal Mass Migration.â&#x20AC;? With a wide range of performances spread across three stages and two nights, the LIJF features international stars alongside home grown talents.

This edition is dedicated to African Jazz legend, Oliver Mtukudzi who died on January 23, 2019. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tukuâ&#x20AC;?, as he was fondly called was a Zimbabwean musician, businessman, philanthropist, human rights activist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Southern Africa Region.

LIJF has put Lagos on the continental map as a vibrant

jazz tourism destination in April, offering refreshing entertainment for night crawlers.

Convener, LIJF, Ayoola Shadare

34

F R I DAY Ëž MARCH 22, 2019

FERTILITY

with DR. KEMI AILOJE Info@lifelinkfertility.com; Website: lifelinkfertility.com 08033083580

DIMINISHED OVARIAN RESERVE (part 1) drastically. By age 45, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unlikely that most women will get pregnant without some form of medical intervention like IVF. Putting all of this into context, having a diminished ovarian reserve can mean that at age 30, the quality and quantity of your eggs is more typical of someone who is 45 years.

W

hile some couple goes through rigors attempting pregnancy, some other couple gets pregnant almost as often as they desire.

There are several factors that can reduce or prevent pregnancy, some of which includes for the female: uterine (womb), tubal, ovarian, age, medical condition. For the male: Semen quality and quantity.

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recap from our previous publications that we reiterated the fact that every woman is born with two ovaries on either sides of the uterus (womb).

WHERE DID ALL THE EGGS GO? In utero the eggs begin to develop at about 6-8 weeks of fetal life. By the time the female fetus is about 16-20 weeks, she has reached a peak of six to seven million eggs. This number however declines to approximately one to two million eggs are reserved in the ovaries at birth, declining even further to between 250,000 to 500,000 eggs at puberty.

At 37 years a woman will only have about 25,000 eggs and at menopause less than 1000.

A womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ovarian reserve depreciates in quality and quantity with age, this simply means that the younger a woman is, the more her ovarian reserve and the higher her chance of achieving pregnancy. It can be used to estimate a womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fertility potential.

Reproductive science has evolved to the point where thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a wide range of investigations to test fertility, some of which can give indication about the status of your ovaries. If, after testing, your doctor

reaches out with the news that you have a diminished ovarian reserve, you might feel confused and worried about how it could change your odds of conceiving.

WHAT IS DIMINISHED OVARIAN RESERVE This means that your eggs are lower in number or quality than expected for your age.

Evidence based studies have proven that womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prime reproductive years are typically between her late teens and late 20s. As you move past that window, the number of eggs you have in your reserve naturally goes down. So does their quality since the eggs you have left are more likely to have abnormal chromosomes that make conception harder, As a result, your ability to get pregnant will start to decrease steadily after age 30, declining more by the time you reach your mid-30s. (This is a steady decline, not a fertility â&#x20AC;&#x153;cliffâ&#x20AC;? that suddenly changes your chances of conceiving

WHAT CAUSES DIMINISHED OVARIAN RESERVE(DOR) DOR is a premature decrease in the number of eggs and can be caused by the following: r$ISPNPTPNBM BCOPSNBMJUJFT r %FTUSVDUJPO PG PWBSJBO UJTTVF CZ torsion r3BEJBUJPO r0WBSJBO TVSHFSZ GPS BO PWBSJBO DZTU or ovarian cancer, for instance), r .VUBUJPOT JO HFOFT UIBU BSF SFMBUFE to ovarian function, r &OEPNFUSJPNBT PS DZTUT UIBU GPSN due to the health condition endometriosis. r 1FMWJD BEIFTJPOT r *NNVOPMPHJDBM DPOEJUJPOT r#FOJHO PS NBMJHOBOU PWBSJBO UVNPVS r 1FMWJD JOGMBNNBUPSZ EJTFBTF XIFSF bacteria from an untreated sexually transmitted infection spread to the reproductive organs. r )JHI #PEZ .BTT *OEFY #.*

r *EFPQBUIJD NFBOJOH DBVTF JT unknown HOW LONG SHOULD I ATTEMPT PREGNANCY BEFORE SEEING A DOCTOR FOR EVALUATION? For women less than 35years, the recommendation is usually to try to get pregnant for at least a year before you see a doctor with concerns about fertility

evaluation while women above 35years may attempt for about 6 months.

Women though under 35years but have a history of certain health issues as irregular menses, painful menses, repeated miscarriages and endometriosis need to see a physician as soon as possible while attempting pregnancy. )08 $"/ 8& .&"463& " 80."/ 4 07"3*"/ 3&4&37& r .FEJDBM )JTUPSZ FNQIBTJ[FT JT VTVally based on factors like age, time spent trying to conceive, gynecological history and past medical history. r 5SBOTWBHJOBM 6MUSBTPVOE 5IJT involves your doctor or a sonographer inserting a device into your vagina to get a better look at your ovaries and other reproductive organs. This is usually uncomfortable but not painful. It can help a doctor examine your ovarian antral follicle count, which tells them how many follicles you have on each ovary. At the beginning of your menstrual cycle, these follicles, each of which contains an egg, begin to mature in preparation for ovulation. The ovarian antral follicle count "'$ DBO BEE JOGPSNBUJPO BCPVU PWBSJBO reserve and can even help predict how many eggs a woman will produce if she VOEFSHPFT *7' PS FHH GSFF[JOH QSPDFTT r #MPPE 5FTU :PVS EPDUPS NBZ PSEFS B test on day 2-5 of your menses to assess UIF MFWFM PG '4) 'PMMJDMF TUJNVMBUJOH )PSNPOF JO ZPVS CMPPE "U UIF TUBSU PG your menstrual cycle, the pituitary gland in your brain produces this hormone to make your ovaries to create those eggcontaining follicles for ovulation to be continued next week

with LEKAN FATODU

Overscenes

lekantodu@yahoo.com 08060140882

Wonder Kid: How 8-year old Nigerian Became Chess Sensation in New York

I

n what can well be described as a grass to grace TUPSZ ZFBS PME /JHFSJBO Tanitoluwa Adewumi, who relocated to America with his family in 2017, has become the latest sensation in a chess championship in /FX :PSL The brilliant little boy, who started training on the brain-tasking game barely a year ago, has surprised a lot of professional players with his latest victory. )JT FNFSHFODF BT UIF XJOOFS PG IJT category (kindergarten through third HSBEF BU UIF /FX :PSL 4UBUF DIFTT championship last weekend continues to dominate many news reports in America and beyond.

Tanitoluwa, who before this time has won seven trophies in chess, has said that his greatest goal his to be the youngest grandmaster. #Z UIJT QSPOPVODFNFOU UIF /JHFrian wonder kid is eyeing the place of the current grandmaster, Sergey ,BSKBLJO 6LSBJOF B DIFTT QSPEJHZ who qualified for the title at the age of 12 years and seven months. $MFBSMZ UIJT JT CZ OP NFBOT B NJTsion impossible for the ambitious boy who is unusually hungry to be on top of the game.

Tanitoluwa, even though a little boy, is not a stranger to challenges which obviously have been helping to build his determination and resolve at this early stage in life.

In 2017, little Tanitoluwa and his GBNJMZ MFGU /PSUIFSO /JHFSJB GPS /FX :PSL )JT GBUIFS ,BZPEF "EFXVNJ recounts that they had to leave their

Adewumi

home country because he was afraid UIFZ XPVME CF UBSHFUFE CZ #PLP )Bram terrorists since they are devout $ISJTUJBOT â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to lose any loved ones,â&#x20AC;? he told The Times.

6QPO BSSJWBM JO UIF 64 UIF BWBJMable abode for them was a homeless shelter. While waiting on their asylum request to be accepted, the eight-year-old started attending the local elementary school, P.S. 116.

There he met a part-time chess

UFBDIFS 4IBXO .BSUJOF[ XIP UBVHIU his class how to play. Adewumi enjoyed the game so much he asked his mom, Oluwatoyin Adewumi, JG IF DPVME KPJO UIF DIFTT DMVC )JT mother agreed.

She emailed the club to tell them about her son, adding that they could not afford to pay the fees. And 3VTTFMM .BLPGTLZ UIF IFBE PG UIF P.S. 116 chess program, decided to waive the fees.

6QPO FOSPMMNFOU IF TUBSUFE BUtending a free, three-hour practice TFTTJPO JO )BSMFN FWFSZ 4BUVSEBZ and using his father â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s laptop to QSBDUJDF BU OJHIU )JT QBSFOUT BMTP MFU him miss church whenever he had a tournament to attend.

During his first tournament, he had the lowest rating of any participant, 105. One year later, his rating has gone up to 1587. This is a huge feat considering the fact that the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CFTU QMBZFS .BHOVT $BSMTFO TUBOET BU 2845. .BLPGTZ XIP SVOT IJT DIFTT DMVC says he is very impressed by his progress. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One year to get to this level, to climb a mountain and be the best of the best, without family resources. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never seen it,â&#x20AC;? he told The Times. i)F JT TP ESJWFO )F EPFT UJNFT NPSF DIFTT QV[[MFT UIBO UI F B W F S B H F L J E ) F K V T U X B O U T U P C F C F U U F S u I J T D I F T T U F B D I F S O B N F B E E F E Wi t h h i s m i n d s e t o n t h e b i g H F T U Q S J [ F B O E D P O U J O V P V T Q S P H r e s s , Ta n i t o l u w a c o u l d p o s s i b l y F N F S H F B U U I F [ F O J U I P G U I F H B N F that he so desires sooner than imagined.

5 ) * 4 % ": t FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2019

35

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN NNPC The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is the National Oil Company of Nigeria with ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA operations and prospects across the entire value chain of the industry.

SENIOR OFFICER AND SUPERVISORY CADRE Applicants must have qualifications in NNPC, an equal opportunity employer, offers exceptional career and development opportunities in relevant disciplines from any of the under a challenging and diverse workplace. listed skill pools: Bachelor's Degree in the First Class/ We seek dynamic young talents and result-oriented experienced professionals who will make Second Class Upper Division valuable contributions to the achievement of NNPC's business goals.

Bachelor's Degree in the Second Class Lower Division with a completed Master's Degree Applications are hereby invited from suitably qualified candidates to fill existing vacancies in the HND (Minimum of Upper Credit) with a completed Master's Degree. following categories: Ø Geosciences Ø Petroleum Engineering 1. GRADUATE TRAINEES Ø Well Engineering NNPC provides the enabling environment for young graduates to grow into seasoned Ø General Engineering professionals through our Young Professionals Development (YPD) Programme and contribute to Ø Operations Engineering the achievement of NNPC's strategic goals. Ø Health, Safety and Environment NNPC's Graduate Trainees are expected to: Ø Supply Chain Management Ÿ support the implementation of organizational processes. Ø Commercial Ÿ deliver cost-effective business outcomes. Ø Finance, Accounts, Audit, Ÿ support line managers/supervisors to develop and implement strategic work plans across Taxation & Insurance diverse functions. Ø Human Resource Management Ÿ support delivery of project team assignments. Ø Information Technology Ø Public Affairs Ø Legal ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Ø Medical Applicants must: Ø Security Ÿ have any of the following qualifications in the under listed disciplines:

MANAGERIAL CADRE Applicants must have qualifications in relevant disciplines from any of the under listed skill pools: Bachelor's Degree in the First Class/ Second Class Upper Division Bachelor's Degree in the Second Class Lower Division with a completed Master's Degree HND (Minimum of Upper Credit) with a completed Master's Degree. Ø Geosciences Ø Petroleum Engineering Ø Well Engineering Ø General Engineering Ø Operations Engineering Ø Health, Safety and Environment Ø Supply Chain Management Ø Commercial Ø Finance, Accounts, Audit, Taxation & Insurance Ø Human Resource Management Ø Information Technology Ø Public Affairs Ø Legal Ø Medical Ø Security

Bachelors Degree in the First Class/Second Class Upper Division. Ÿ Applicants must have completed NYSC. Ÿ Applicants must have completed NYSC. Bachelors Degree in the Second Class Lower Division with a completed Masters Ÿ Applicants must not be more than 45 Ÿ Applicants must not be more than 34 and Degree. years of age as at 31st December, 2018.

37 years of age respectively, as at ² HND (Minimum of Upper Credit) with a completed Masters Degree. Ÿ Applicants must possess a minimum of 18 31st December, 2018. years relevant experience, with at least 3 Ÿ Applicants must possess minimum of 6 and SCIENCE Geology, Geophysics, Physics, Chemistry, Computer 5 years at Managerial/Leadership level in 9 years relevant experience respectively.

Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Environmental Science, Basin an Organisation of comparative size. Ÿ Applicants should possess strategy, people Modelling, Surveying and Architecture. Ÿ Applicants should possess strategy, management, information technology, ENGINEERING Petroleum, Gas, Chemical, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, people management, information regulatory/compliance management skills.

Power, Software, Computer, Environmental, Marine, technology, regulatory/compliance Ÿ Applicants are advised to pay attention to Materials/Metallurgical and Pipeline Engineering. management skills. the age and experience requirements Ÿ Applicants are advised to pay attention to BUSINESS/MANAGEMENT Business Administration, Accounting, Banking and Finance, specific to each job. the age and experience requirements Ÿ Uploaded CVs should not be more than Insurance, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Maritime specific to each job.

3 pages.

Management, Purchasing & Supply, Management Information Ÿ Uploaded CVs should not be more than 3 Ÿ Applicants will be required to upload System and Human Resource Management. pages. maximum of 3 relevant professional SOCIAL SCIENCES Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Geography, Ÿ Applicants will be required to upload certifications.

Public Administration and International Relations/Studies. maximum of 3 relevant professional ART/HUMANITIES Mass Communication, English and History. certifications.

LAW Law. HOW TO APPLY Ÿ have graduated from an accredited university/polytechnic/monotechnic not earlier than Candidates who meet the above requirements and are interested in a career with NNPC are 2014. advised to log on to https:/careers.nnpcgroup.com to complete an online application form and Ÿ have completed NYSC. upload relevant supporting documents. st Ÿ not be more than 28 years of age as at 31 December, 2018. Ÿ Possess good communications, computer, interpersonal and diversity skills.

Note ²

²

Ÿ All applications must be completed online as paper applications are not acceptable.

Note Applicants will be required to attach any relevant professional certification attained.

Ÿ Applicants are required to apply for one (1) job role only as multiple applications will attract

disqualification. th Ÿ Closing date for all applications is 26 March, 2019.

2. EXPERIENCED HIRES: Ÿ Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

NNPC offers challenging job opportunities for versatile and self-motivated experienced Ÿ Successful candidates may be required to work in any of NNPC's business locations professionals allowing them to contribute to the achievement of the Corporation's strategic goals. across Nigeria.

These experienced professionals are being recruited into the Senior Officer/Supervisory or Managerial Cadre.

DISCLAIMER They are expected to: Ÿ NNPC will not be responsible for applications submitted on any website other than its Ÿ provide professional and leadership expertise required to achieve NNPC's business official page at https:/careers.nnpcgroup.com objectives. Ÿ NNPC does not charge any fees for submission of job applications. Ÿ develop and implement strategies for operational excellence. Ÿ Applicants' personal data will be used for the purpose of this recruitment exercise only. Ÿ ensure cost-effectiveness and compliance to statutory regulations in the delivery of the Ÿ Where it is discovered, at any point in this recruitment exercise, that false information has Corporation's business. been provided, defaulting applicants will immediately be disqualified and possibly Ÿ drive team performance and development. prosecuted.

SIGNED: MANAGEMENT

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POTPOURRI

Schneider Electric, Partners Sensitise Public on Safety Awareness

Mr Christophe Begat, MD Schneider Electric Anglophone West Africa, with Ms Viviane Mike-Eze, Marketing Communications Manager, at the road show

Schneider Electric and its partners were seen touring the Lagos Island and Oshodi electrical markets while on a two-day roadshow which began Wednesday, with the aim of educating the public on electrical safety, and the importance of getting genuine equipment and installations.

The tour which lasted hours on each of these days was packed with electricians, distributors, retailers, and partners of Schneider Electric. Representatives of the company highlighted the benefits of patronising genuine products.

Members of the Schneider Electricians Club received

incentives which included free technical training; access to discounts; and earned loyalty points which can be redeemed as gift items. This reward system is the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strategy to promote original products and boost electriciansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; loyalty.

Speaking at the function

was the Managing Director for Schneider Electric Anglophone West Africa, Mr Christophe Begat. He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;For Schneider Electric, safety is paramount, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why we partner with companies that guarantee the authenticity of the products that are sold. We are happy to collaborate

with them in sensitising the public about the importance of safe practices and patronising original appliancesâ&#x20AC;?.

A recent statistics from the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency showed that 190 people were victims of 146 electrical accidents in

2017. Of these, 113 died in 95 accidents while 77 others sustained injuries in another 51 accidents.

Schneider Electric, Nigerchin, and its other partners posit that the use of genuine electrical appliances would reduce the casualty level from electrical accidents nationwide.

Abuja Moms Walk against Child Molestation

By Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja A women support group, the Abuja Moms, has staged an awareness walk in the Federal Capital Territory against child molestation as part of the activities to herald the UN Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Day. Its leader, Mrs Happiness Ani, said that people rarely talk about child molestation, although it is a threat to the society.

Ani, who created Abuja Moms in 2017, said many victims find it difficult to recover from stigmatisation and failure to get closure from their abuser.

While confessing that she was molested at the age of

10, she also revealed that many Abuja Moms suffered same fate as children and are haunted by the experience.

Ani said she only got closure when she spoke on the Abuja platform that has over 32, 000 members and met other molested women, who are seeking closure and trying to help the next generation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Child molestation is an indecent activity between an adult and a child under the age of 18. It can come in the form of â&#x20AC;&#x153;sexual assaultâ&#x20AC;? (inappropriate touching of a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body or forcing a child into playing sexual games and having sexual intercourse). â&#x20AC;&#x153;It also involves â&#x20AC;&#x153;sexual exploitationâ&#x20AC;? (making a child view sexual acts or exposing an

Ani

adultâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s genitals to a child).

The other form is â&#x20AC;&#x153;sexual groomingâ&#x20AC;? (using a child in making pornography),â&#x20AC;? Ani

explained.

She lamented that often when parents report this abuse to law enforcement

agents, they are advised not to discuss the matter so that the child will not be put into shame or stigmatised by the society. She stressed that the group exists to ensure that pedophiles are brought to book and the victims get a closure. The Abuja moms also appealed to the authority to uphold the Part 111 of the Child Rights Act adopted

by Nigeria in 2003, which prohibits every form of sexual intercourse, sexual abuse and exploitation with a child. The group also said the public has an obligation to report every case of child molestation regardless of who is involved.

Ani advised parents to be close to their children, adding a parent should be sensitive and realise that when a child is complaining about an

adult, there is a possibility that adult is molesting the child. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are against child molestation and pedophiles should know that as mothers we are watching. We will follow up any case that we find out in the FCT and come together to ensure that the perpetrator is prosecuted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We say no to child molestation and call on the authorities to take this seriously. We want to sensitise the country that it is better to get judgement than for the child to be stigmatized for the rest of her life,â&#x20AC;? Ani stressed. She said that 80 per cent of the act is committed by people familiar with the victims including clerics, whom the children are sent to learn more about God.

Reject False Solutions to Climate Change, Delegates Attending Africa Climate Week Charged Delegates attending the Africa Climate Week, which began on March 18 and will end on March 22 in Accra, the Ghanian capital, have been charged to be wary of false solutions to the climate change phenomenon that fossil fuels industry trade associations promote to open Africa to the highest bidder.

Climate justice groups fear that with the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) funding the talks and the discussions narrowed down to carbon trading and offsets, real solutions that communities on the frontline of the climate crisis advocate may be shoved aside.

Regional and international level discussions on climate change have hitherto been hijacked by fossil fuels industry-backed trade groups like IETA that exploit the introduction of Article six of the Paris Agreement or market-based mechanisms to interfere and capture talks. At COP23 in Bonn an IETA board

member led talks and was part of a country delegation.

Dirty energy companies, mostly involved in coal mining were sponsors of the COP24 in Poland, and maximised the opportunity to burnish their image.

The Africa Climate Week will focus on how engagement between state and nonstate m actors can be further strengthened in the key sectors for Africa including the role of future carbon markets to achieve enhanced climate action, towards the goals of sustainable development.

The high-level segment on March 20 will bring together ministers and senior leaders â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and focus on areas such as: visions for NDCs enhancement and implementation; carbon pricing and markets, as well as the operationalisation of the ambition cycle in the Africa region.

Civil society groups insist that the funding of climate talks by fossil fuels

Philip Jakpor of the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) signing the Climate Change pact board in Ghana

industry-aligned groups interfere in the arrival at meaningful solutions and create a conflict of interest within governments and the UN system, thereby stalling progress in tackling climate change.

Sriram Madhusoodanan of Corporate Accountability said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The fossil fuel industry drives and profits

off of the climate crisis, so it should be nowhere near the rulemaking process.

In order to advance real solutions, we need to kick big polluters and their trade associations out of the climate policymaking space and anywhere government decision-makers gather.â&#x20AC;?

Philip Jakpor of the Environmental Rights

Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The array of fossil fuel industry-aligned groups attending the Africa Climate Week leaves little hope for the African continent which carries the heavy burden of climate change.

The impacted peoples on the continent have said time and again that the global fight against climate change rests primarily on nonmarket mechanisms and not commodification of the environment.â&#x20AC;?

Labram Musah of the Vision for Alternative Development (VALD) said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Except African delegates stand up for their people and advance actions needed to address the climate chaos, Big Polluters and their allies will inject dangerous propositions in the Climate Week talks to set the stage for them to dictate the outcomes of COP25.â&#x20AC;?

The groups urged African delegates to stand with impacted peoples on the African continent and across the world that recommend

the following to confront the climate change crisis by keeping fossil fuels in the ground, rejection of false solutions that are displacing real, people-first solutions to the climate crisis, advancing real solutions that are just, feasible and essential, honouring climate finance obligations to developing countries and ending corporate interference in and capture of the climate talks.

Core partners of the week-long event include the Marrakech Partnership, World Bank Group, African Development Bank, West African Development Bank, and the Climate Technology Center and Network (CTCN), among others. The event will be followed by the Latin America and the Caribbean and Asia-Pacific Climate Weeks. Collectively, the Climate Weeks will serve as critical stepping stones in the lead-up to the UN Secretary-Generalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Climate Action Summit slated for September 2019 in New York.

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ENTREPRENEUR

MojisolaSaka:IncreasingtheRoleofWomenBeyondTraditionalNorms MARY EKAH ĂĄĂ&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? ËŠ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;ËŞ Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2039;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2014;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;ËŞĂ? Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x152;Ă?ĂŁĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă?

T

he theme for the celebration of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day with the hashtag, #BalanceforBetter, is designed to draw global attention to the call for gender parity at the workplace.

This theme finds practical expression at Soulcomms Limited, one of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading Strategic Communications and Engagement companies, where a deliberate policy of gender balancing sees women occupy commanding positions that have enabled them unleash their expertise on the execution of some of the high profile campaigns involving the biggest brands in Nigeria.

The Chief Operating Officer of Soulcomms Limited, Mojisola Saka said this is a policy that has worked for the company in the 15 years of its existence, and has been partly responsible for its high flying success and favourable rating in the industry.

This also informed the reason why Soulcomms, earlier this month, launched what it tagged, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wonder Womenâ&#x20AC;? campaign in commemoration of the International Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day celebrated globally with various activities.

The Soulcomms Wonder Women campaign is obviously an avenue to reflect on the incredible women in the workplace and all they have done to further womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rights and equality. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no shortage of those stories floating around right now -from the women who have won the Nobel Prize to companies empowering womenrun businesses and helping women excel in their various field. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In a rare display of ability to juggle responsibilities at home and in the workplace, the women at Soulcomms, who could be correctly described as Wonder Women, have been able to effectively play their roles as wives, mothers, daughters and sisters while at the same time striving to continually raise the bar of their performance at workâ&#x20AC;?, Saka said.

Speaking further she said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is proof of the extraordinary strength and capacity of these women that they are able to meet domestic obligations early in the morning of each day and would be in the office timely and still be physically and mentally equipped for the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tasks. Yet, they may not leave the office often times until much later. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anyone living and working in Lagos understands that the bustling metropolis contributes substantially to the low life expectancy rate in Nigeria, because of the nightmarish stress of wading through chaotic traffic that is considered among the worst in the world on a daily basis.â&#x20AC;?

She stressed further that, a major factor that has aided the work of the Soulcomms women is that they have understanding, considerate and cooperative families who have come to terms with the demand of their job, and actually assist in whatever way they can to make them perform better. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to effectively combine official and domestic responsibilities has been made possible by a combination of education and training in some of the best institutions within and outside the country, and many years of hands on experience in developing top brands that have remained household names in the country. It has been a case of positively impacting workplace experience on the home front, and vice versa.â&#x20AC;?

Saka affirmed that Affirmative Action has remained a culture at Soulcomms, where there are equal opportunities for growth and development, adding however that, this does not take away emphasis on competence and performance. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This explains why women have the freedom to express themselves through their expertise in the various areas in which they have core competencies. They have been able to add value to a company that has come to be reckoned with in the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s integrated marketing communications industryâ&#x20AC;?, she noted.

The position of Saka, lead business driver as Chief Operating Officer, has nothing to do with her gender. This is to say that she was not engaged to fill a gender gap that existed in the company in a deliberate manner; rather, it was essentially because she fits the bill of the expert that is required to drive operations at the top-rate consultancy

Mojisola Saka

firm.

With experience that cuts across advertising, experiential, direct and social marketing, as well as the financial services industry, she has been able to lead a team of highly qualified and talented professionals in the past eight years to execute some of the most exciting campaigns that involve both local and international brands that are household names in the country.

She does this effortlessly from strategic and execution perspectives, the reason she is regarded as an amazon in the industry.

Saka, who is at all times guided by her personal philosophy to â&#x20AC;&#x153;stand and be known for the bestâ&#x20AC;?, is imbued with interpersonal skills that are considered quite exceptional and outstanding, the reason she is able to manage diverse interests at home, in the workplace and among different clients. Excellent in rapport with her team, she is seen as a leader who carries everyone along in official and unofficial matters.

The string of successes recorded by Soulcomms in its executed projects within Nigeria and the West African sub-region can be ascribed to her deft knowledge of strategic communications, engagement and messaging. It is an experience she has garnered over time through trainings that have global dimensions.

A holder of a Bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in Sociology, she has a Diploma Certificate in Issues and Crisis Management and an Advanced Certificate in Social Media Management, from the London School of Public Relations and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), in the United Kingdom.

Sakaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expertise in building and managing relations goes outside her official engagements in the projects she leads Soulcomms to execute for clients. It also includes volunteer services she renders selflessly to her country.

In the past five years, she has volunteered her services as a member of the Event Planning Sub-committee of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, an evidence of the high esteem with which she is held in the marketing communications industry.

She is also currently in her third tenure as Executive Treasurer of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) and now a member of the Communications, Media and Publicity sub-planning commitment for the Nigeria Economic Summit (NES) at 25. It is no wonder she is regarded as a leading light among the new generation of strategic communications and consumer engagement experts in the country today. Saka is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, CIPR and an alumnus of the International School of Communications, London.

Praising the efforts of her other female

colleagues who have helped in moving the company forward, she noted, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The perfect blend of highly qualified women in different backgrounds, coupled with the flexibility of the style of running Soulcomms, gives Yemisi Oyekanmi the latitude to unleash her competence as a creative and passionate brand developer. Bringing into her position as Engagement Lead, inspirations by legendary copy in campaigns for global brands like Ford, Volkswagen and Guinness, her passion for creativity was nurtured by her ability to analyse campaigns involving some top namesâ&#x20AC;?.

Saka noted further that for her colleague, Oyekanmi, with years of quality experience working with a leading ethical fashion retail brand in the United Kingdom, her career path has grown to become all embracing and covering all aspects of marketing communications. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Her creative flair and uncanny ability to engage in tactical thinking are reflected in the ease with which she handles strategic institutional communication involving the public, government and organisations, as well as expert execution of media relations projects involving crisis, perception and reputation management for internal and external publics. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This expertise is also present in her tactical delivery on strategies for social media/SEO management, in addition to her innovative execution of projects related to consumer marketing, events, branding, project marketing and management.

Yemisiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dexterity has come into play in the implementation of various high profile projects that cut across sectors which include telecoms, financial services, oil and gas, education, Information Technology and FMCGs. Others are tourism and hospitality, luxury goods, as well as government, stakeholders and community relationsâ&#x20AC;?, Saka said.

A look at Oyekanmiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s educational attainment and training would reveal a rich pedigree that explains why she is unarguably well equipped and best suited for her role at Soulcomms. She has a Bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree (combined honours) in Advertising and Media Communications, as well as a MSc. in International Marketing from the Lincoln Business School, England.

A developmental membership, training and certification from the International School of Communications in the United Kingdom further puts her in good stead for the onerous task of leading engagements at Soulcomms. This is in addition to her membership of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria and PRCAN. Oyekanmi has great aptitude for providing sustainable tactics in strategic communi-

cation and cutting edge consumer engagement strategies for local and international brands and is also committed to lending her voice in ensuring social justice for all and to women and human rights. She is passionate about Leadership, particularly for women.

Saks revealed further that Soulcomms has a reputation for providing the conducive environment women need to hone their skills, regardless of their fields of study.

This, she said explains why Omonigho Agbator-Momodu, a graduate of computer science from the Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma, Edo State, is one of the high flying women driving the success of the company. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Omonigho, who is Manager, Engagement at Soulcomms, has a specialty that is backed by proficiency and proven skills in experiential and direct marketing in areas such as events and project marketing, as well as operations development and management. Her deft knowledge in operational development and execution strategies account for the remarkable successes she has recorded on projects in which she has played leading roles. This dates back to her days at Neo Media and Marketing where she cut her teeth in the industryâ&#x20AC;?, Saka noted.

With a certification in Administrative Management from the London Academy Business School, Agbator-Momoduâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passion for cutting edge project execution has seen her deploy her ability for strategic thinking into highly successful pan-Nigerian campaigns with incredible results in various sectors. These include telecoms, financial services, FMCGs, as well government, stakeholders and community relations.

Saka also mentioned another successful woman, Janet Adizua, the Media Executive, Strategic Communications at Soulcomms. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She joins the distinguished list of women that are making invaluable contributions to the success story of the company that is highly sought after in the public and private sectors. With core competencies in media relations, brand strategy, as well as experiential and events management, she expertly applies innovative strategies to execute media relations for top brands across all sectors, with identifiable and measurable resultsâ&#x20AC;?, Saka revealed further.

A graduate of marketing from the University of Calabar, Adizuaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passion for event planning and flawless execution comes into play in the highly commendable manner she has executed tasks that are related to her areas of core competence. Her love for humanitarian work comes into focus against the background of the fact that she currently works, pro-bono, as a media consultant for several leading not-for-profit organisations and charities.

5 ) * 4 % ": t FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2019

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39

40

F R I DAY Ëž Í°Í°Ë&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

LIFE

A New Dawn for Uturu Diocese EMMANUEL UGWU in Umuahia writes that it was a new dawn for the Methodist Diocese of Uturu in Abia State, after it was inaugurated and saddled with a new shepherd, Rt. Rev Best Enyinnaya Okike, who was enthroned as the first Bishop of the new diocese

I

t was a joyous throng of the faithfuls as the Methodist Diocese of Uturu was inaugurated by the Prelate, His Eminence, Dr Samuel Kanu Uche, penultimate Wednesday. The faithfuls turned out in large numbers to welcome the new born diocese with a new shepherd, Rt. Rev Best Enyinnaya Okike, who was enthroned as the first Bishop of the new diocese.

The service of inauguration and enthronement held at the Methodist Cathedral of All Saints, Ukwunwangwu Uturu in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia state. The ceremony which took place on March 13, 2019, also involved the presentation of the Diocesan Lay President, Elder Macmillan Uche Ikpo and the dedication of the diocesan officers. This means that the new diocese has come with the full compliments of workers for the vineyard.

The Methodist Prelate in his sermon during the inauguration and enthronement service charged the faithfuls to suffuse themselves and the entire diocese with the word of God. In the sermon with the theme, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Knowledge of the word of God: key to successful and untainted Christian lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, Dr Uche said that children of God readily indulge in doing evil when they lack the word of God. He stated that the new diocese would definitely grow and blossom if it was nurtured with the word of God, adding that there can never be an overdose of divine word. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Overdose of the word of God makes you fresh,â&#x20AC;? he admonished the faithful.

To the new bishop, the prelate charged him to be productive and lead the faithfuls to a spiritual rebirth. According to him, the reason for the creation of the diocese â&#x20AC;&#x153;is to bring spiritual impact closer to the people and pour the word of god into their heartsâ&#x20AC;?. He said that promotion in the church is now was based on merit and performance and not length of service, hence the new bishop must seek out creative ways to get the needed resources to grow the diocese.

The Archbishop of Okigwe, Most Rev. John Koko Bassey said that Uturu had been overdue to be carved out as a diocese.

He noted that it was from here that the gospel traversed to several places, including Abakaliki in Ebonyi state. It was from Okigwe Archdiocese that Uturu diocese emerged after satisfying the conditions required for this status. It did not come easy as testified by Dr Jonas N. Ibeaja, who has been diocesan lay president for 20 years and was in the vanguard of the struggle for the creation of Uturu diocese.

In a chat with journalists on the side of the inauguration and enthronement ceremony, he expressed profound joy that â&#x20AC;&#x153;God has fulfilled his promisesâ&#x20AC;? with the creation of the new diocese. The retired medical doctor, who has been a Sunday school teacher in Uturu for over four decades, was specially recognized by the

The idea of creating a diocese for Methodist churches in Uturu was sown like a seed in 1983 and it was not until 35 years later that the seed germinated. The decision for the creation of Uturu diocese was taken at the 46th/11th Biennial Conference of Methodist Church Nigeria at Wesley Cathedral Aba from August 6 to 13, 2018. It was also at the conference that the Rt. Rev. Best Enyinnaya Okike was elected as the bishop of Uturu

The enthronement of Rt. Rev. Best Enyinnaya Okike as Bishop, Uturu Methodist Diocese

Prelate for the role he played during the struggle for Uturu diocese to become a reality. Sir Ibeaja said that he had received a revelation and divine assurance that on the birth of Uturu diocese. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;On March 30, 1999 God revealed to me that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll build three thrones, one at Okigwe, one at St John where I worship and now the new diocese. According to him, the desire to have the Uturu Methodist diocese was so infectious that non Methodist were inspired by God to contribute in building the diocese, adding that the local church was built by a catholic, who is also involved in building of the cathedral.

He described the new bishop as a man

â&#x20AC;&#x153;physically and spiritually endowedâ&#x20AC;? hence the new diocese would grow in leaps and bounds.

The idea of creating a diocese for Methodist churches in Uturu was sown like a seed in 1983 and it was not until 35 years later that the seed germinated. The decision for the creation of Uturu diocese was taken at the 46th/11th Biennial Conference of Methodist Church Nigeria at Wesley Cathedral Aba from August 6 to 13, 2018.

It was also at the conference that the Rt. Rev. Best Enyinnaya Okike was elected as the bishop of Uturu.

The inauguration and enthronement ceremony attracted many dignitaries

from within and outside the new diocese.

They included former governor of old Anambra state, Chief Jim Nwobodo and former chief of army staff (COAS) Gen Azubuike Ihejirika.

The ceremony was also graced by important figures from the headquarters of the Methodist Church Nigeria, including secretary of conference, Rt. Rev. Michael Akinwale; Connexional secretary for evangelism and discipleship, Rt. Rev. Samuel Obeka and Lay President of Conference, Sir Folu Aremu. To put the new diocese on sound financial footing, a fund raising was held as a component of the inauguration ceremony.

5 ) * 4 % ": t FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2019

41

42

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°Í°Ë&#x153; 2019

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

CBN HasAddressed Gender Disparities,Says Emefiele James Emejo Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has said the Bank has made remarkable progress in closing the gender gap within the institution.

According to Emefiele, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is heartening that today women represent 29 per cent of CBN staff and 29 per cent of directors are women. That is eight departmental directors and one Director General of WAMZ, as against 26 per cent of staff and 25 per cent of directors in 2014. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Similarly, three out of 11 board members are women (27 per cent).â&#x20AC;?

Speaking at the 2019 CBN Commemoration of the International Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day (IWD), themed: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Investing for Equality, #Balance for Betterâ&#x20AC;?, the CBN boss, however, noted that despite overwhelming evidence that gender equality remained a driver for economic growth and

prerequisite for achieving the 2030 global development agenda (The Sustainable Development Goals), progress in gender parity had been slow.

He said research findings had highlighted the significance of gender equality in economic development. According to him: â&#x20AC;&#x153;McKinsey (2017) showed that if womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic participation were at the same level as men, $28 trillion could be added to the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic growth by 2025. â&#x20AC;&#x153;According to World Economic Forum Gender Gap Report (2018), there is an average 32 percent gender gap that needs to be closed and going by the trend, the overall global gender gap will close in 108 years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A 2018 study by the IMF showed that greater inclusion of women as users, providers, and regulators of financial services have benefits beyond addressing gender inequality. Narrowing the gender gap would foster greater stability in the banking

system and enhance economic growth. It could also contribute to more effective monetary and fiscal policy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The study also found that the gender gap in leadership does make a difference when it comes to bank stability.

Banks with higher proportion of women board members had higher capital buffers, a lower ratio of nonperforming loans, and greater resistance to stress. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Similarly, according to Lagarde (2019), adding one more woman in a firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s senior management or corporate boardâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;while keeping the size of the board unchangedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;is associated with an 8â&#x20AC;&#x201C;13 basis point higher return on assets. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If banks and financial supervisors increased the share of women in senior positions, the banking sector would be more stable too.â&#x20AC;? Nonetheless, Emefiele submitted that although gender diversity in central banks had improved over the years, a lot more still need to be done to achieve parity.

Huawei to Boost Inclusion for Channel Partners In an age with rapid advancements in ICT innovation solutions, technologies such as 5G, AI, IoT, and cloud computing are becoming the new reality.

The ICT industry in Nigeria is rising up to the occasion as ICT increasingly becomes the foundation for digital economies and producing an intelligent world.

Owing to this, one of the leading global provider of ICT infrastructure, Huawei, has expressed its commitment to helping organisations expand the boundaries of their businesses, to find routes to new growth; to explore innovative technological solutions and build new business opportunities.

Speaking at the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Huawei Nigeria Eco-Connect 2019,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; that took place in Lagos, with over 500 Huawei channel partners in attendance, the CEO, Huawei Enterprise Nigeria, Tank Li, expressed delight in the growth of ICT in Nigeria.

He also unfolded Huaweiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plans to deepen its investment in Nigeria, Li said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Today, I feel really amazed. Three years ago we only had 20, or maximum 25, channel partners in this kind of event, but today, we have more than 500 channels registered. This shows the great confidence that we put in this country, Nigeria.

It is still the biggest economic entity in the African continent.â&#x20AC;?

According to Li, Huawei aims at enhancing its relationship with its partners to further develop the Nigerian market.

This, he said would be achieved by creating an ecosystem around the partners.

He emphasised that: â&#x20AC;&#x153;In our enterprise business, our core value is really to build an ecosystem with our partners together. In 2019, we will raise our connection with the partners ecosystem and we will call it â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Huawei Insightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, that means we will enlarge our collaboration with all the partners.â&#x20AC;?

Li speaking on Huaweiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s determination and commitment to invest more in Nigeria and in the ecosystem of its partners, he said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our partners are the most important platform. Huawei is willing and ready to share the profit with its local partners for a sustainable ecosystem, where all partners can grow together.â&#x20AC;?

Huawei enterprise core values are to be customer centric, inspire dedication, preserve and grow by reflection.

Li added that creating value for customers was the only way for Huawei to guarantee its value, as the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success depended on the success of the customers.

At the event, the company announced that Huawei Cloud is now available in Nigeria, offering commercial services. Also,

the Vice President of Huawei Cloud Business Unit, Mr. Edward Deng, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Africa is one of the most diverse and promising emerging markets globally with tremendous potential, and cloud services are expected to unleash the latent capacity and drive the growth in the country.â&#x20AC;?

Speaking on furthering collaboration in Africa, Mr. Olusoji Adeyemo, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are looking forward to Huawei Cloudâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s innovative technologies and services, such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence assisting African and by extension Nigeria governments, carriers, and enterprises in a variety of industries such as finance, energy, agriculture, to leapfrog to a fully-connected, intelligent era.â&#x20AC;?

The annual Eco-Connect event organised by Huawei was introduced to Africa in 2017, starting with South Africa.

This now currently holds in two other countries, Nigeria and Kenya.

Through the event, Huawei seeks to build a wider ecosystem with its partners at the center of it all.

The event brings together global industry visionaries, opinion leaders, and potential partners for in-depth discussion and insights into the latest industry trends.

L -R: Deputy Director, DPR, Mr. Enorense Amadasu; Police Commissioner, Enugu, Mr. Suleiman Balarabe; Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Edward Ubosi; Managing Director, Northwest Petroleum, Mrs. Winifred Akpani; His Lordship, Bishop Anthony Adaji; Commissioner for Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, Chidi Aroh; Igwe Julius Nnaji with his wife, Lolo Maria Nnaji, and Non-Executive Director, Northwest Petroleum, Mr. Inyang Etim Inyang, during the launch of Northwest Petroleum mega Station in Enugu Stateâ&#x20AC;Śrecently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS Money Supply (M3)

31,794,803.44

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

6,333,064.28

Money Supply (M2)

25,461,739.17

-- Quasi Money

14,773,076.98

-- Narrow Money (M1)

10,688,662.18

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,711,763.59

---- Demand Deposits

8,976,898.59

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

18,990,400.78

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

12,804,402.66

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,062,986.22

---- Credit to Government (Net)

2,980,229.66

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

7,093,619.43

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

-4,144,571.43

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

23,082,756.56

--Other Assets Net

13,258,583.57

Reserve Money (Base Money

6,811,192.37

--Currency in Circulation

2,100,129.91

--Banks Reserves

4,366,259.05

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) 14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

SON Supports School for Deaf in Kano

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

Chris Uba

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has taken the message of standards and quality to the Special Education School for deaf and partially blind students, Tudun Maliki, Kano.

The move was in continuation of its awareness programme in Kano State, according to a statement by the Special Assistant to the Director General/ Head, Public Relations, SON, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Bola Fashina.

Addressing the students with the aid of interpretation in sign language by Gambo Danbaba,

the SON mandate, the quality marks and how to confirm the quality status of products from physical inspection and warned them to take maximum caution always, in ascertaining the quality of products before purchase and use.

Aboloma, enjoined the students to become quality vanguards by educating those around them on the imperatives of demanding for quality at all times.

During the interactive session, the students were excited to learn that SON, also regulates the quality of textiles including their school uniforms.

Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ě&#x2039;

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

Senior Master, Administration and Mallam Abdullahi Saâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ad, a Teacher, SON Director General, Osita Aboloma, enumerated the dangers associated with substandard products, emphasising that they could be life threatening to Consumers.

Represented by the Chairman, Sensitisation Committee, Engr. Musa Bauchi, the SON chief executive explained the dangers associated with food products, electrical/electronic products like bulbs, cables as well as civil/building materials like iron rods and sandcrete blocks in particular.

He educated the students on

(MILLION NAIRA)

NOVEMBER 2018

Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ě&#x2039; ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT WEDNESDAY, 20 MARCH 2019

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $67.54 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $67.25 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

43

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°Í°Ë&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

MARKET NEWS

Cadbury Gets First Female MD, New Finance Director Goddy Egene Cadbury Nigeria Plc yesterday announced the appointment of Mrs. Oyeyimika Adeboye as managing director, effective April 1, 2019, and Mr. Ogaga Ologe, as the new Finance Director.

In a notification to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Cadbury said Mrs. Adeboye would take over from Mr. Amir Shamsi, who moves on to a new role within Mondelz International,

the parent company of Cadbury Nigeria.

Adeboye, is the first woman to be appointed MD since the establishment of Cadbury Nigeria over five decades ago. Adeboye, a chartered accountant, joined the board of the company in November 2008, as Finance and Strategy Director, West Africa.

The company explained that during his tenure as MD, Shamsi made invaluable contributionto the turnaround of the business,

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

and drove Cadburyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth agenda with respect to top-line, bottom-line, and talent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Adeboyeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appointment attests to the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to promoting gender equality, diversity and inclusion,â&#x20AC;? the firm said.

Prior to joining Cadbury Nigeria, Adeboye was the Director of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Nigerian Bottling Company Plc. She previously worked for the erstwhile Ac-

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

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counting and Tax Practice of Arthur Andersen & Co as well as the United Kingdom Accounting practice of Midgley Snelling & Co., Chartered Accountants.

Adeboye has an impressive track record in finance, strategy and business administration both in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

She is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Nigeria. Adeboye

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

has a Bachelor of Science honours degree in Economics and Social Studies from the University College Cardiff, Wales and executive management education certification from the Institute of Management Development (IMD), Lausanne, Switzerland.

Meanwhile, Ologe, who succeeds Adeboye, joined Cadbury Nigeria in 2012, from KPMG Professional Services where he led the audit of the financial statements for many multinationals. He holds

O F

a Bachelor of Science honours degree in Physics from Delta State University, Abraka. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Nigeria (ICAN).

The bearish continued to dominate the stock market sending the NSE All-Share index further down by 0.50 per cent to close below 30,885.31. Similarly, market capitalisation went down by N58 billion, from N11.576 trillion to N11.518 trillion.

2 1 / 0 3 / 2 0 1 9 DEALS

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5 ) * 4 % ": t FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2019

44

Advertorial

The President Federal Republic of Nigeria Presidential Villa Aso Rock Abuja

RE: “RIVERS STATE ELECTORAL CRISIS:

NEED TO STOP LOOMING INSECURITY AND DISASTER”.

As National Assembly members from Rivers State, we, the undersigned, read with utter consternation and indescribable shame the letter to President Muhammadu Buhari by a group of six “leaders and elders” from Rivers State namely, H.E. Chief Rufus Ada George, Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas, Chief Sampson Agbaru, HRH Alabo Prof. D. M. J. Fubara, Rear Admiral O. Fingesi (Rtd), and Group Captain I. I. Ben-Kalio (Rtd).

known as Akin Fakorede, prominent Rivers sons would donate their names and signatures in a reprehensible chorus of condonation and approbation of the dastardly act.

3.

These men, having realised the failure of their coup d’état of 9th March and their continued rejection by Rivers people as the results of the elections of 23rd February and 9th March make clear, are seeking to achieve by unlawful means what they failed We are extremely appalled by the embarrassing spectacle of men to get through a legitimate ballot process. who have occupied positions of great trust and responsibility in We urge President Muhammadu Buhari to be a statesman Rivers State and beyond, embracing their diminution as puppets 4. in the hands of a rogue puppeteer, who, in crass desperation, is with his eyes on history. By virtue of sections 158(1) and 160(1) determined to destroy his own state knowing that his unbridled of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) of the Federal Republic DQG VHOÀVK TXHVW WR KDQGSLFN D *RYHUQRU IRU 5LYHUV SHRSOH LV XQ- of Nigeria, which he swore to uphold, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is beholden to no authority or attainable and will remain a pipe dream. person in the performance of its functions. Accordingly, we call Of particular concern to us is the willingness of these elders, in- on President Muhammadu Buhari to ignore the irresponsible and cluding a former Governor of Rivers State, to re-submit them- PLVJXLGHG UHTXHVW IRU KLP WR GDEEOH LQWR WKH HOHFWRUDO SURFHVV LQ selves for such an odious enterprise. In the case of the former Rivers State.

Governor, we recall with great pain that his latest dance of infamy Finally, we urge the Independent National Electoral Comis reminiscent of his ignoble collaboration with the military during 5. what remains the darkest chapter in Rivers history as chronicled PLVVLRQ WR FRQWLQXH WR VWDQG ÀUP LQ WKH IDFH RI XQUHOHQWLQJ SUHVby the iconic and illustrious Rivers son, the late Ken Saro-Wiwa, sure, intimidation and blackmail aimed at negating the will of the SHRSOH RI 5LYHUV 6WDWH :H HTXDOO\ XUJH LW WR TXLFNHQ WKH SURFHVV in his prison diary. of making the remaining declarations with a view to bringing the Among the elders, too, was a former minister from Akuku-Toru entire process to a closure so that our people can get on with their Local Government which was the epicentre of the 23rd February lives once again. carnage where several people were killed in cold blood. Tellingly, despite the universal outrage by Nigerians and foreigners alike inSigned: cluding international observers, this particular elder never spoke a word in condemnation of the unspeakable evil that befell his people!

No matter the inducement, true leaders must always stand for the truth. But the six elders have disgraced leadership and shamelessly danced on the graves of the victims of a well-documented army and F-SARS murderous assignment in Rivers State.

Being thus acutely aware of the motive and partisanship of the group of six integrity-challenged elders, and the sponsor of their villainous plot to undermine the resolve of Rivers people to freely elect their leaders as demonstrated on the 9th of March elections, we hereby state as follows:

7KDW WKH RQO\ IDFW ÀQGLQJ H[HUFLVH XQGHUWDNHQ LQ WKH DItermath of the deliberately stalemated 9th of March election in Rivers State was that of the team set up by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The wicked distortion of established facts regarding the primitive role of soldiers and the INEC’s management of the elections in the face of daunting odds, by the group of six elders, was entirely the concoction of their sponsor – the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

2.

It is a worrisome irony that at a time when literally the entire world is commiserating with Rivers people over the ruination and death brought upon them by soldiers and specially reFUXLWHG ) 6$56 GHDWK VTXDGV OHG E\ DQ RVWHQVLEOH SROLFH RXWODZ

45

FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

CISI Launches Nigeria National Advisory Council Goddy Egene

financial markets.

The institution said in a statement that NAC has been established with the dual purpose of supporting CISI membership in Nigeria and of guiding the CISI’s activities in Nigeria in developing professional standards across the finance profession.

The launch of the NAC in Lagos was followed by the inaugural CISI Nigerian Members’ Forum

The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) has launched its Nigerian National Advisory Council (NAC). The CISI Nigeria NAC, has the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NASD OTC Securities, Mr. Bola Ajomale as its inaugural president and the council is composed of senior CISI members within the Nigerian A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (ExchangeTraded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares.

Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the floor of

hosted in Lagos. Guest at forum included: President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Nigeria, Mr. Adedapo Adekoje; Assistant Director, Securities and Exchange Commission, Mrs. Olubukanla Rufai, and Head, Marketing, Consultancy, Research and Publications, Nigerian Capital Market Institute, Mrs. Sa’adatu Faruk.

Mr. Praneet Shivaprasad, who

is Senior International Manager at the CISI, made a presentation on “Maximising your CISI Membership benefits.”

Shivaprasad said: “This is my fourth time in Nigeria and I am always incredibly impressed by the commitment of Nigerians to education and qualifications.

Nigeria has embraced CISI qualifications and membership, and we are therefore delighted

to be able to launch a Nigeria National Advisory Council to support members in Nigeria. We look forward to working closely with our partners and the regulator to successfully blend both Nigerian and global professional standards for the enhancement of the Nigerian capital markets.”

Adekoje encouraged CISI to enable Nigerian members to network with the CISI’s members

the Nigerian Stock Exchange A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 20Mar-2019, unless otherwise stated

NAV: is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date

around the world. Rufai spoke about her pride in being a member of the CISI, and the importance of the Institute’s work in the area of integrity and ethics. Faruk noted the value of an organisation like the CISI introducing international standards into the Nigerian capital markets, whilst mentioning the forthcoming partnership between CISI and NCMI to use CISI qualifications.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.85 0.86 1.62% ACAP Income Funds 0.64 0.64 15.01% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.40% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.28 2.31 2.74% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 16.94 17.45 2.08% ARM Discovery Fund 363.83 374.80 2.02% ARM Ethical Fund 29.24 30.12 3.54% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.75% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 103.00 103.73 1.79% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.73% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.59% Paramount Equity Fund 12.11 12.21 2.53% Women's Investment Fund 105.49 106.05 1.82% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.24% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 101.28 101.30 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 102.14 102.72 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.27% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.84 0.85 Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.17 1.17 4.04% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,234.30 1,235.16 4.12% FBN Heritage Fund 144.96 146.20 1.08% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.37% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 116.86 117.32 2.61% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 116.80 117.26 2.81% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 149.86 152.07 -0.09% FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Equity Fund 1.21 1.23 -1.05% Legacy Debt Fund 3.33 3.33 2.60% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.04 1.04 1.04% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,000.41 3,033.55 0.59% Coral Income Fund 2,836.09 2,836.09 3.54% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.47% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 109.60 110.26 2.16% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.37% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.18 2.21 1.62% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 14.68% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 124.75 125.00 -0.12%

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.16 1.18 1.71% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,100.89 1,100.89 2.90% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 11.55 11.65 0.40% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.33% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.38 1.40 7.88% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.34 12.41 1.15% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.90% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 126.42 127.11 4.76% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.03 1.03 3.00% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,385.05 2,399.12 3.07% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 195.85 195.85 3.00% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.98 0.99 3.68% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 253.27 253.30 2.47% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 167.50 169.37 2.67% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.25% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,557.59 8,662.44 0.82% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.12 1.12 1.35% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.22 1.22 1.51% United Capital Bond Fund 1.65 1.65 3.72% United Capital Equity Fund 0.70 0.72 -0.75% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 14.81% United Capital Eurobond Fund 109.40 109.40 1.99% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.12 1.12 2.28% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 11.21 11.37 5.79% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.34 12.48 3.17% Zenith Income Fund 21.17 21.17 9.90% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.59%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

5.95 119.37 51.97

-39.35% 0.03% 0.00%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.48 112.88 89.02

10.58 115.29 90.68

-0.66% -3.77% 0.40%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

4.10 6.96 14.57 12.24 152.66

4.14 7.04 14.67 12.44 154.66

2.39% -8.61% -2.52% -0.93% 6.31%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.24

17.42%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

46

FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

Stop Brexit: 700,000 Sign UK Petition to Stay in EU More than 700,000 people have rushed to sign a petition on the British parliament’s website calling for the government to revoke its divorce notice to the EU and remain in the bloc.

Attracting thousands of signatures every few minutes, the petition took off in the hours after Prime Minister Theresa May made a televised address to the country late on Tuesday.

In the address, May criticised

squabbling lawmakers for failing to agree an exit strategy and telling parliament to make a final choice.

“It is high time we made a decision,” May said, telling Britons: “I am on your side.”

EU leaders will tell May on Thursday she can have two months to organise an orderly Brexit but Britain could face a disruptive ejection from the bloc next Friday if she fails to win backing from parliament.

More than 17 million Britons voted in favour of leaving the EU in a 2016 referendum while 16 million voted to remain, with May serving notice of the UK’s intent to leave under Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty the following year.

The “Revoke Article 50 and remain in the EU” petition on the parliament website had attracted 706,096 signatures by 1048 GMT, backed by support on social media,

Burundi Authorities Detain Schoolgirls for Scribbling over President’s Picture Burundian authorities have charged three schoolgirls accused of defacing a picture of President Pierre Nkurunziza, spokeswoman for the country’s Supreme Court, Agnès Bangiricenge, said on Thursday.

The three girls were among seven school children arrested last week in Kirundo province, in Burundi’s northeast and some 200 kilometers from the commercial capital Bujumbura.

Four others were subsequently released.

All were accused of insulting Nkurunziza by scribbling over images of him printed in their school text books.

A regional court in Kirundo decided on Wednesday to detain the three further and proceed with a full trial, Bangiricenge said.

They will await trial in a nearby prison and could face up to five years in jail on conviction, a judge said on condition of anonymity.

“It is true that scribbling (on the

president’s picture) is a punishable offence under the Burundian law but since it was committed by teenagers.

“I believe, this is a mitigating circumstance,” David Ninganza, a children’s rights defender working for local group SOGEPAE, said.

“Those school children are not engaged in any political fights and need no political posts. That’s why judges have to consider all those issues in their investigations.”

School children have in the past been kicked out of school for similar offences, with some jailed and released.

In 2016, 11 children were jailed on accusations of defacing a photograph of Nkurunziza in a school text book.

In another incident in the same year, more than 300 students of a school in the capital’s Ruziba neighbourhood were sent home after being accused of defacing Nkurunziza’s image.

Hundreds of Burundians have been killed in clashes with security

New Zealand Bans Military Type Semi-automatic Weapons New Zealand will ban militarystyle semi-automatic and assault rifles under tough new gun laws following the killing of 50 people in its worst mass shooting, Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, said on Thursday in Zealand.

In the immediate aftermath of last Friday’s shootings at two mosques in the city of Christchurch, Ardern labelled the attack as “terrorism” and said New Zealand’s gun laws would change.

“On March 15, our history changed forever.

“Now, our laws will too.

“We are announcing action today on behalf of all New Zealanders to strengthen our gun laws and make our country a safer place,’’ Ardern said.

“All semi-automatic weapons used during the terrorist attack on Friday, March 15 will be banned.’’

Ardern said she expected the new laws to be in place by April 11 and a buy-back scheme costing up to $138 million would be established for banned weapons.

All military style semi-automatics (MSSA) and assault rifles would be banned, along with parts used to convert weapons into MSSAs and all high-capacity magazines.

Under existing gun laws, a standard A-category gun license allows semi-automatics limited to seven shots.

Live-streamed video of a

gunman in one of the mosques showed a semi-automatic weapon modified with a large magazine.

Australia banned semi-automatic weapons and launched a gun buy-back after the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, in which 35 people were killed.

Ardern said similar to Australia, the law would allow for strictly enforced exemptions for farmers for pest control and animal welfare.

“I strongly believe the vast majority of legitimate gun owners in New Zealand will understand that these moves are in the national interest and will take these changes in their stride.’’

New Zealand, a country of fewer than five million people, has an estimated 1.2-1.5 million firearms, about 13,500 of them MSSA-type weapons.

Most farmers own guns while hunting of deer, pigs and goats is popular.

Gun clubs and shooting ranges dot the country.

That has created a powerful lobby that has thwarted previous attempts to tighten gun laws.

Federated Farmers, which represent thousands of farmers, said it supported the new laws.

“This will not be popular among some of our members but, we believe this is the only practicable solution,’’ a group spokesman, Miles Anderson, said in a statement.

forces and half a million have fled abroad since Nkurunziza announced in 2015 he would run for a third term.

His opponents saw the rerun as a breach of the constitution and he won re-election.

Early this month, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet said Burundi had forced the UN to shut its local human rights office after 23 years.

In 2016, Burundi suspended all cooperation with the UN human rights office in Burundi after a UN-commissioned report accused the Bujumbura government and its supporters of being responsible for crimes against humanity.

although the site appeared to be regularly crashing due to the large numbers trying to sign.

“The government repeatedly claims exiting the EU is ‘the will of the people’. We need to put a stop to this claim by proving the strength of public support now, for remaining in the EU,” the petition said.

Parliament must consider holding a debate on all petitions that gain more than 100,000 signatures.

Supporters wrote on Twitter that the petition showed the strength of feeling against May’s strategy while backers of Brexit said it needed to attract more signatures than the 17.4 million people who voted to leave the EU three years ago before anyone should take any notice.

More than 1.8 million people signed a petition calling for U.S. President Donald Trump to be prevented from making a state visit to Britain, leading to a debate in parliament in 2017.

More than four million people signed another petition in 2016 which called for another EU referendum in the event that neither the remain or leave camps achieved 60 per cent of the vote.

Also, German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, expressed readiness on Thursday to back a short extension to Britain’s planned exit from the EU, suggesting that the June 30 date requested by May was problematic.

May has asked European Council President Donald Tusk

to delay Brexit from March 29 until the end of June and said she was preparing for a third vote in the British parliament on the exit deal she arduously negotiated with the EU. Addressing the German lower house before a summit of EU leaders, Merkel appeared to share concerns by the European Commission that May’s proposed delay means Britain would still be an EU member during European Parliament elections in May. “With regard to the date of June 30, we have to take into consideration that we have European elections in May,” Merkel said.

“This means the future and legality of the European election must be respected. But we can surely talk positively about a short extension.”

A European Commission document seen by Reuters said the delay should either be several weeks shorter, to avoid a clash with the EU elections, or last at least until the end of the year, which would oblige Britain to take part in the vote.

In her speech, Merkel echoed Tusk’s position that it would be possible to grant Britain a short postponement if parliament backs May’s proposed agreement next week, after voting it down twice before.

Merkel said Germany would back May’s request that EU leaders approve an agreement governing the Irish “backstop,” which she described as the most difficult aspect of Brexit.

The backstop is intended to

prevent the return of a hard border between EU member Ireland and British-ruled Northern Ireland, if no trade agreement is reached that makes it unnecessary.

May secured an agreement with the EU earlier this month that provides some guarantees that the bloc cannot use the backstop to trap the United Kingdom indefinitely in its customs union.

“The second request was to delay the exit date to June 30. The leaders of the EU 27 will intensively discuss this request. In principal, we can meet this request if we have a positive vote in the British parliament next week about the exit document,” Merkel said.

In another development, British retailers racked up surprisingly strong sales in February, reinforcing how spending by consumers is a bright spot for the economy ahead of Brexit.

Retail sales grew by an annual 4.0 per cent in February, the top end of a range of forecasts by economists, and down only slightly from January’s two-year high of 4.1 percent, official data showed on Thursday.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as AMAEFULE GRACE NNANNA, now wish to be known and addressed as TIMOTHY GRACE NNENNA. All former documents remain valid.The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ANIE EROMOSELE, now wished to be known and addressed as ANIE EROMOSELE ESELEBOR. All former documents remain valid, Banks and Canada Embassy should please take notes I formerly known and addressed as KUDIRAT OMOLOLA AKINBOLU, now wish to be known andaddressedasJEBE-ABDULLAHI KUDIRAT OMOLOLA. All former documents remain valid.The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as DIKURU TORITSEJU DONALSON from Warri North Delta State , now wish to be known and addressed as IKUEJAWA TORITSEJU DONALDSON from LGA Ondo State . All former documents remain valid, and the general public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OKONKWO ANTHONIA UGOCHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OBI ANTHONIA UGOCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as TERRY, KELVIN EKE, now wish to be known and addressed as TERRY, KELVIN JIMMY. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ANGELA AMIEMENOMOH IKHAKE, now wish to be known and addressed as ANGELA AMIEMENOMOH AGONOR. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

5 ) * 4 % ": t FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2019

47

FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

48

NEWS

Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike Email Ejiofor.Alike@thisdaylive.com, 08066066268

Obasanjo Raises the Alarm over Nigeria’s Disunity Femi Ogbonnikan in Abeokuta Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has raised the alarm over the current state of disunity in the country, stressing that Nigeria was not as divided as this during the civil war in comparison to the worst situation of things as they are now.

Speaking at a one-day ‘2019 annual retreat/conference and general meeting’ of members of Association of Chief Audit Executives of Banks in Nigeria (ACAEBIN) held at Park Inn, Abeokuta in Ogun State yesterday, Obasanjo, who was a guest speaker on the topic 5Ps, urged Nigerians to partner one another at home, within communities, states, countries, sub-African region and African continent.

“When we look at this country today, even during the civil war, we were not as divided as we are now. Today, we are in danger if we don’t

take partnership serious. That partnership should be within our people, Africa and the rest of the world,” Obasanjo said.

According to the former president, private sector is the life blood of development in every economy of a country.

He said: “As chief audit, it is defined by virtue of what you are doing as a profession.

If the audit is awry, banking business will not be right.

“What I want to emphasise is that it is a must as Nigerians and Africans that we have certain elements that we have to take very seriously which I put as 5Ps. “The first is politics which is governance. Unless we get governance right, any other thing we are trying to do will not be right.

“The second is population.

Our population at independence was estimated to be 45 million, but today we are almost 200 million. By the year 2050, we will be over 400 million.

Normally, population should be an asset but looking at the condition we are in now, when in the North-east of Nigeria, the percentage of adult literacy is about 53 percent, and education being the basic of all human development, you can see that we have a problem.

“How do we think of setting education to be useful? Those people who will make our education over 400 million people in many years’ time are already born, and you cannot unborn them. So the problem is here, what do we do?

We must provide education for them, housing, healthcare and most importantly,

employment for them.

“One thing that I believe will help us is to provide employment is agricultural business. And you in the banking business must pay attention to how we build the agriculture sector. I am not talking of horticulture, I am talking of the whole value chain, from land preparation to the end product. And if we are able to get that right, maybe we will be able to get the issue of employment for our teeming youths right as well as rural development right.

“The next one is prosperity.

I am not being bothered about Nigeria or Africa’s poverty. We

have everything to generate wealth. We have God-given resources under our soil. We also have human resources. If we bring these together, then we will definitely get prosperity “Another one is security.

People must be protected in all aspect. Protection of lives and property is most important.”

In his welcome address, Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, said the state government has always been desirous of partnering practical efforts that positively impact on the lives of the people, particularly, in the area of financial management.

“Our motivation as an

administration towards making lives abundant for our good people is to ensure optimal utilisation of the available resources as well as block all leakages and wastage of our resources,” Amosun said.

The governor, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Adewale Oshinowo, while speaking on the theme: ‘Banking in the digital age: challenges and opportunities’, noted that “as the operating environment changes, the knowledge and skill required to effectively perform audit assignments have become more sophisticated.”

Gunmen Kill Two NYSC Members, Injure Others in Bayelsa Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa A gang of hoodlums has invaded a corps members’ residence along School Road, Swali, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, shooting three members of the National Youth Service Corps Corps(NYSC) and leaving several injured.

Of the three corps members, two were confirmed dead as at yesterday, while one who was critically injured was currently receiving treatment in one of the hospitals in the capital city.

The police identified one of the dead NYSC member as Popoola Oluwatobi Olamide, a 30-year old graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and an indigene of Oyo State, while the rest were George Onokpoma, now deceased and Anthony Gbenga Dada, who survived.

The suspected cultists, numbering about six were said to have arrived the corps’ members’ residence at about 10.30 p.m and immediately started shooting into the lodge repeatedly with cries of anguish from within the residence.

The deceased corps members, it was gathered, were attached to a private school, identified as Victory Group of Schools, close to their residence and were marking some examination scripts when the hoodlums invaded their home.

It wasn’t immediately clear why the gang attacked, but it was learnt that one of the suspects, now in police custody, was found sleeping in the same room with the attacked corps members after the bloody attack.

“The armed men had attacked a shop close to the residence and the arrested suspect escaped and was traced to the house.

“It is suspected that the armed men wanted to kill

him but instead met the corps members and shot them,” a source said.

The only shot survivors said the suspected cultists broke into their room and started shooting, adding that when the leader of the gang ordered that he should be shot in the head, there was no more bullet in their gun.

Confirming the incident in a statement, Police Spokeman, Asinim Butswat said: “On March 20, 2019 at about 2200 hours, armed robbers numbering about seven, attacked the residence of one Jerry Yeseme Moses, proprietor of a school, at swalli, Yenagoa.

“The armed robbers instantly shot and killed one Corps member, Oluwatobi Popoola; they also also shot one George Onokpoma, and Anthony Gbenga Dada.

“The victims were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, where George Onokpoma was confirmed dead, while Anthony Gbenga is responding to treatment.

The command has launched a manhunt for the unknown gunmen, investigations is ongoing”.

He said the command paid a condolence visit to the State Coordinator NYSC, Bayelsa State, Mrs Lotto Bolade, to convey their condolence to the families of the deceased and the entire NYSC family.

Meanwhile, an angry mob in the early hours of Thursday in Akenpai, a suburb of Yenagoa, burnt to death a suspected cultist, who was found butchering a lady after killing her.

He was caught while trying to cut open the body of the young lady identified as Best, an indigene of Epie, when luck ran out on him.

A source said that at least three other ladies had lost their lives in the same circumstances in the last one month.

SIGNING ANOTHER MEGA DEAL…

Executive Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu (right), and Head of Africa, Wartsila Oy, Magnus Miemois, signing the contract to build a 48-megawatt power plant for Sokoto Cement Line 3, in Lagos…recently

My Second Term will Be Guided by Inclusiveness, Buhari Assures Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja assured his administration will in the next four years pursue inclusive and transparent policies that will guarantee security and economic safety of every citizen.

The president, who received a delegation of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) led by Mr. Chris Isiguzo at the State House, said: “As I look to the next four years, I will remain committed to a safe and secure nation; creating an inclusive and diversified economy;

and a governance system that is free of corrupt practices.

“In all these areas, we will remain transparent in implementing our policies.’’

President Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, urged members of the NUJ to support the government in devising a means to control the spread of false information.

He warned that those who “create alternative reality’’ on social media are steadily eroding the credibility of journalism.

“Your profession today is

undergoing a fundamental shift.

For better or worse, the digital space is now becoming the major outlet for ‘news’.

“This space is difficult to regulate and police. In many instances, the participants in this medium are not trained or professional journalists.

“The stories they present are neither factual nor true. However, through the digital platform, they are able to reach millions and create an alternate reality in their minds.

“I am sure you will all agree that the biggest threat to the sustainability and credibility of

your profession is the uncontrolled and unregulated news platforms operating in the cyber space,’’ he said.

The president noted that some misleading information in the social media were created and posted by people who lived outside the country.

“Many of the perpetrators of these acts do not even live within our shores. However, they have been able to damage the reputation of hardworking Nigerian journalists while at the same time promoting conflict and divisions within our society,’’ he added.

US:Voter Intimidation in Nigeria’s 2019 Polls Disappointing Regina Ogwuche The United States Embassy in Nigeria has stated that it was disappointed by the low voter turnout and what it described as credible reports of voter intimidation, vote -buying, interference by security forces and violence in some locations during Nigeria’s 2019 elections.

It called on all stakeholders to ensure free, credible and peaceful exercise in Nigeria, as the supplementary polls hold in some states on Saturday.

The embassy gave the charge in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rescheduled the supplementary elections in Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Kano, Plateau and Sokoto States, for March 23, after it declared initial exercises inconclusive.

The embassy said “We encourage all stakeholders, including INEC, political parties, and the security services, to continue to improve the electoral process for future elections.

“We look to Nigeria as an important leader on the African continent.

“As a democratic partner of Nigeria, the US remains committed to working together to achieve our mutual goals of peace and prosperity for the citizens of both our countries.”

The embassy congratulated Nigerians over their commitment to the democratic process throughout the election season.

According to the mission, the US supports a democratic process where the will of the Nigerian people is reflected in the results.

“As long-time friends of Nigeria, we continue to follow closely the still ongoing

elections. We do not have a preferred party or candidate,” it stated.

It however, expressed concern over the low voter turnout as well as what it described as credible reports of voter intimidation, vote buying, interference by security forces, and violence in some locations.

“We are saddened by those acts of violence and extend our deepest sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives, including those who worked for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security services,” it stated.

FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWSEXTRA

Air Peace Receives Third Boeing 777 Aircraft, Prepares for International Operations Chinedu Eze Nigeria’s biggest carrier, Air Peace, has received its third Boeing 777, therefore bringing it closer to starting its international operations.

The airline took the delivery of its first Boeing 777 aircraft on February 23, 2018, making history as the first Nigerian carrier to acquire and register this type of aircraft in the country.

The aircraft marked 5N-BVE and named Ifechukwu’ was soon followed with the delivery

of the second Boeing 777 marked 5N-BUU and named ‘Ojochide’ six months after on August 25, 2018.

The airline’s latest aircraft touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos at about 3:20p.m. last Wednesday. It was honoured with a spectacular water salute staged by men of the Fire Service Department of the Federal Airports of Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) with a crowd of the carrier’s management and staff as well as aviation authorities

Herdsmen Kill LG Secretary in Enugu The Secretary of the Uzo Uwani Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State has been shot dead by suspected herdsmen around Olo town in Ezeagu LGA of the state.

The late secretary identified as Nnamdi Ogueche, was said to have gone for a peace talk between communities and the herdsmen that have been terrorising parts of Uzo-Uwani LGA. It was gathered that the council secretary was in company of three others in a vehicle, who were returning from the peace meeting when the alleged herdsmen attacked their vehicle.

There was stampede and uneasy tension while the occupants of the vehicle jumped out in different directions for safety.

The assailants were however said to have pursued the council scribe, shooting him in the process.

The fate of the other three occupants of the vehicle was yet to be known as at the time

The Delta State Freedom of Information Bill (FoIB) was yesterday passed by the state House of Assembly.

The passage of the bill followed the consideration of the report of the Joint Assembly on the Delta State Freedom of Information Bill at a Committee of the Whole following a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Hon Tim Owhefere, and seconded by Hon Reuben Izeze.

Reporting progress, the assembly Speaker, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, who presided over plenary, said the members resolved at the Committee of the Whole that having gone through the bill, the assembly should suspend the rules and pass it.

Thereafter, the Majority Leader, Owhefere, moved separate motions for the assembly to suspend orders 77,78 and 79 and take the third reading to enable the assembly pass the bill.

The motions were seconded

and parking wide-body aircraft at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, saying the airline was strategically increasing the number of aircraft to be deployed for its long-haul operations to ensure quick and efficient recovery when any of the aircraft is out of service.

Onyema insisted that the airline had earned the respect of financial organisations and other critical stakeholders in the global aviation industry, assuring Nigerians that the entry of the new aircraft would create more jobs for Nigerians and others.

He said: “I don’t think Air Peace is parking aircraft for fun.

We brought in these aircraft to use them. We want to make

this country and Nigerians very proud. Both the government and people of Nigeria have been complaining that there has never been any successful Nigerian airline. This is one airline out of Africa trying to do something different. All we need at this point in time is the support of everyone-both the government and people of Nigeria.

“In Air Peace, we have over 3,000 direct workers. We’ve created about 9,000 ancillary jobs in just four years of our operations. All we need is the continued support of the media, the government and the people of Nigeria.

A lot of people are saying Nigerian airlines are poor, they are indebted and don’t have integrity. Air Peace has integrity.

All the banks in Nigeria want to work with Air Peace because of our integrity. All the banks outside Nigeria are looking towards Air Peace. They see Air Peace as an emerging force out of Africa and everybody wants to support it.”

The airline, he promised, would offer Nigerians and other air travellers a dependable and comfortable alternative on the Sharjah, Dubai, London, Houston, Guangzhou-China, Mumbai and Johannesburg routes.

Onyema added that Air Peace would continue to sustain its high safety standards, deepen air connectivity and create massive direct and indirect job opportunities in all its areas of operation.

of this report.

The immediate cause of the killing of the council scribe has not been established as confusion, fear and heightened tension engulfed the entire LGA. Contacted for comment over the killing, the Chairman Uzo-Uwani LGA, Mr. Fidelis Ani, confirmed the killing of the council scribe along Olo community road while returning from a peace meeting.

He said a report has been lodged at Ezeagu Police Division at Aguobu Owa for investigations.

Enugu State Commissioner of Police Sulaiman Balarabe, who confirmed the incident during a media briefing yesterday, said there was an ambush against the deceased.

He confirmed that three people have been arrested in connection with the murder.

The CP, however, declined to confirm the involvement of herdsmen until after investigations.

Delta Assembly Passes FOI Bill Sylvester Idowu in Warri

and airline workers cheering ecstatically.

Air Peace said the latest aircraft in its fleet is a big boost for its plans to start long-haul flight operations to Sharjah, Dubai, London, Houston, Guangzhou-China, Mumbai and Johannesburg.

Addressing journalists shortly after the aircraft marked 5N-BWI and named ‘Anuli Peggy Onyema’ landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Air Peace Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Allen Onyema, said the airline had proven beyond doubt that it was the face of the bright future of Nigeria in the global aviation industry.

He dismissed claims that Air Peace was merely acquiring

by Honourable Samuel Mariere and Kennedy Daubry, and adopted through a voice vote.

The Speaker, while thanking members for their support in the passage of the bill, said the bill would enhance the principles of democracy as the people will now have access to information.

The state Freedom of Information bill is for a law to make public records and information more freely available and provide for public access to public records and information.

The bill is also meant to protect public records and information to an extent consistent with the public interest and the protection of personal privacy, protect serving public officers from adverse consequences of disclosing certain official information without authorisation and establish procedures for the achievement of those purpose and for related matters.

IT’S NICE MEETING YOU...

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (right) and his Royal Majesty, Keagbokuzi I, the Dein of Agbor Kingdom, during a marriage reception at Agbor Stadium, Agbor, Delta State...recently

Onnoghen: CCT Chairman Threatens to Jail Journalists over Alleged Misrepresentation of Proceedings Alex Enumah inAbuja The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, yesterday threatened to jail journalists with jail over alleged misrepresentation of proceedings at the tribunal’s last sitting.

Umar was visibly angry that some journalists had reported allegation by Onnoghen that his assets declaration form were in loose form suggesting that they may have been tampered with.

He said this was not what transpired and warned that he

would not hesitate to send to prison anyone who misrepresents facts on the tribunal’s proceedings.

“The last proceedings was on Monday March 18. That day Onnoghen’s counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), said the asset declaration forms were in loose form but they were admitted in evidence,” Umar explained.

He said, the following day, Tuesday March 19, some papers published the following headlines: “Onnoghen accuses FG of mutilating his asset declaration form; Drama as Onnoghen accuses FG of tampering

with asset form,” “Pilot wrote that ‘Onnoghen accuses FG of doctoring asset declaration form,” he added.

“This I consider mischievous, distortion of facts, misrepresentation of what transpired when the defence counsel said the asset declaration forms look loose.

“You are very lucky today, I would haveused the full wrath of this tribunal to summon you; send those who reported this misrepresentation of facts to prison”, the chairman threatened.

While stating that such reportage offends the professional conduct of

journalism, Umar added that he would not hesitate to deal decisively with any journalist who go about making misrepresentative statement during this proceedings.

“I have already summoned the special squad to pick those reporters to prison, henceforth, any journalist or paper carrying concocted and discredited not made by this tribunal.

“I will not hesitate to bring the full wrath of the law and commit them to prison. The consequence is that they will languish there. It is contemptuous”, he said.

Mark Condemns Murder of NSCDC Official Segun James Former President of the Senate, David Mark, has urged the Inspector General of Police (IG), Abubakar Adamu, to immediately ensure that the police bring the perpetrators of the killing of a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer in Abuja last Wednesday to book.

Mark in a statement by his Media Assistant, Mr. Paul Mumeh, over the incident, urged the IG to do all that is needed to unravel the cause of Jumbo Ochigbo’s death in the hands of police men at the check point in order to bring justice.

He described as cruel and barbaric the murder of Ochigbo, and wondered why police men

who ordinarily should protect lives and property are now the harbingers of death.

The former Senate president stated that “no matter what the issue or disagreement was, Ochigbo’s death would have been avoided if the police officers on duty applied wisdom and caution in the discharge of their duties.”

He reiterated that nothing

should be compromised in the investigation, saying “life is sacrosanct and no one has the right to take another man’s life needlessly.”

Senator Mark lamented over the harrowing and humiliating experience of Ochigbo’s wife and the kids who witnessed the murder of their father.

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Falana Writes Malami, Faults Repatriation of Cameroonians Martins Ifijeh A human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana has faulted the repatriation of non- Nigerians into Cameroon, saying the action lacks legality.

In a letter sent to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and sighted by THISDAY yesterday, the Lagos lawyer said the immigrants were refugees and asylum seekers who were entitled

to legal protection under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as against the treatment meted to them.

He said his clients were also entitled to legal protection under the National Commission for Refugee Act, the African Charter on Human and Peoples Right and the United Nations on Convention Relating to the Status of the Refugee Commission.

The senior lawyer argued that in utter breach of their rights, they were deported

and dumped in Cameroon by the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

Falana said: “Based on the instruction of our client, we challenged the expulsion from Nigeria at the Abuja judicial division

of the Federal High Court.

This case was defended by your chambers on behalf of the respondents including your office.

“In the judgment delivered on March 1, 2019, the Federal High Court declared the

deportation of our client as illegal and unconstitutional, and awarded reparation of various sums to them, ordering the federal government to bring them back to Nigeria and restore all their rights and privileges

as bona-fide refugees and asylum seekers in Nigeria.”

He, therefore, called on the attorney general to use his good office to compel the federal government to comply with the judgment of the Federal High Court.

Southern, Middle Belt Leaders Back Atiku to Challenge Poll Results The Southern and Middle Belt leaders have thrown their weight behind the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar’s resolve to challenge outcome of the 2019 presidential poll.

They also rejected outcome of the poll, saying President Muhammadu Buhari should bear a huge moral burden of the fraud that was perpetrated in the elections.

The former vice president has challenged the re-election Buhari in court.

He met with the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders on Wednesday in Abuja where he expressed confidence in the ability of judiciary in doing the right thing on the matter.

In a communiqué at the end of the regional leaders meeting, the group adjudged the 2019 elections as the lowest moment in the country’s democracy.

The communiqué was signed by Yinka odumakin South west; Prof Chigozie Ogbu South-east; Senator Bassey Henshaw South-south; and Dr. Isuwa Dogo, Middle Belt.

The meeting also condemned the role of the security agencies in the polls, stating that it was very shameful.

The meeting further resolved

to continue to push for the restructuring of the country.

According to the leaders: “The meeting adjudged the 2019 elections as the lowest moment in our democratic history as the entire process fell below the minimum standards.

“The total subversion of the will of the people it represented was premeditated with the refusal of the President to sign the Electoral Bill into Law, the undue militarisation of the polls , intimidation of the electorates especially in demographics considered hostile to the ruling party and impetuous manipulation of figures to achieve preconceived ends “The President should bear a huge moral burden that it was under his Presidency that all the democratic gains we made over the years have been reversed when the contrary was expected from him having railed against alleged malpracises in the three previous elections he lost .

“We reject the declared Winner still: That flowing from (1) above, we cannot accept the declared winner from the elections. We, therefore, endorsed the decision of Alhaji Abubakar and his party to challenge the results in court as the elections result cannot stand the scrutiny of any self-respecting court .

INEC RESUMES COLLATION OF RIVERS GOV POLL RESULTS APRIL 2 The counter affidavit specifically stated that the matter of post election is exclusively for the Election Petition Tribunal and not any regular court including the Federal High Court.

Contrary to the claim of the plaintiffs that INEC cannot continue with collation of results, the counter affidavit stated that, INEC’s decison to continue with the collation of the results was based on the figures contained in the duplicates of the results of the election.

The electoral body further stated that challenge of the decision of the returning officer in respect of declaration of scores and return of winner is the exclusive reserve of an Election Petition Tribunal.

INEC said that although the governorship election in Bauchi State was declared inconclusive, it however rescinded its decision based on facts that emerged later and made a return, adding

that any grievance arising from that return should be channeled to the Election Petition Tribunal.

Justice Ekwo had on Tuesday ordered that INEC should not take further steps in respect of collating, concluding and announcing anyone as winner of the governorship election in Bauchi State, pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

The order was issued after the court listened to submissions of counsel to both the plaintiffs and defendant in the matter.

In the exparte motion, the APC and Abubakar had prayed the court for an order of Interim Injunction restraining INEC from resuming, concluding or announcing the result of the Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State in respect of the election to the office of Governor of Bauchi State.

IN HONOUR OF MKO...

L-R: Son of late Chief MKO Abiola, Alhaji Usan Olalekan Abiola; Head of the family, Chief Murtala Olanrewaju Abiola; and Alhaji Abdulmumin Abiola, at a press conference by the family of late Chief MKO Moshood Abiola on the execution of judgment of the court on Abiola’s Farm at Igbo-Ilogbo Ayobo, Lagos, held at NUJ Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday DAN UKANA

IOCs Fuelling Insecurity in Niger Delta, Dickson Alleges Emma Addeh in Yenagoa Bayelsa State Governor, Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, has launched the Rise For Bayelsa Campaign, an initiative to attract global attention to the ravaging effects of oil spills, pollution and environmental degradation in the state, accusing the international oil companies (IOCs) operating in the state of fueling insecurity in Niger Delta.

He accused them of constituting the biggest threat to the security and stability of the state and the Niger Delta region under the guise of awarding crude oil pipeline surveillance contracts.

His Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as accusing the oil multinationals of funding

terrorism, criminality and breakdown of law and order in the state.

His words: “They are not only polluting our land, creeks, waterways and communities. They are also taking their terrorist and criminal activities to yet another frightening level.

“All these cases of killings during elections, people terrorising Southern Ijaw, killing people and even affecting our democratic practices funded by Agip in the likeness of crude oil pipeline surveillance contractors and forming a parallel government in this state compromise all the layers of security in our country.

“They have been killing, maiming and terrorising people in Nembe Bassambiri. A certain Kodjo is working as anAgip contractor funded

by the company. In Southern Ijaw, there is a certain David Lyon and his people whose activities are being funded by Agip.

“Agip is not interested in the stability and safety of our communities. This is how far they have escalated their terrorist activities.

So when we talk of environmental terrorism perpetrated, funded and encouraged by IOCs, you come to Bayelsa and you see a classic case.”

“The launch of the Rise for Bayelsa Campaign would herald the beginning of a long crusade by my government as a fulfilment of the commitment made during the last World Environmental Day to shift attention from education and infrastructure deficit to the scourge of environmental terrorism.”

Dickson said the short documentary aired during the launch was a true

reflection of the hardship the people of Bayelsa and the entire Niger Delta have been experiencing for over 60 years at the hands of a federal government that does not care about the wellbeing, welfare and survival of the people of the region beyond the oil.

He chastised the federal government for its failure to enforce environmental and safety standards as well as regulations on the oil companies operating in the region.

He called on all, especially the ICT-compliant youths of the state, to use the internet to portray the Bayelsa story so as to conscientise the Nigerian authorities and the world at large toward eliciting support and understanding.

Oando, Canadian Govt Partner Accountability Lab Nigeria’s leading indigenous energy solutions provider, Oando Plc and the Canadian Government is partnering a non-governmental organisation, Accountability Lab, in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 16 Innovation Challenge Nigeria.

The challenge is an initiative to find creative solutions for SDG 16 on justice. The competition supports young men and women ages 15 – 35 years to develop ideas, build skills and connect with others working towards a shared goal of strengthening accountability, the rule of law and access to justice for Nigerians.

The top 40 ideas submitted for the innovation challenge were invited to a 3-day- workshop in Abuja and Lagos respectively.

In a statement sent to THISDAY,

yesterday, twenty finalists were hosted to have a 3-day mentorship, training and brainstorming session to further refine their concepts.

The NGO is focused on establishing change-makers to develop and implement positive ideas that promote integrity within their communities.

It prides itself for catalyzing a new generation of active citizens and responsible leaders around the world partnered with Oa In the Lagos edition, 20 finalists were hosted by Oando PLC at the company’s head office from March 6 to 8 2019. The finalists were opportune to engage with Oando Chief Compliance Officer & Company Secretary, Ms. Ayotola Jagun.

She spoke extensively on leadership and introduced the

contestants to the idea of servant leadership; she went further to highlight the core skills required to be a leader which include emotional intelligence, being future oriented and having the disposition to serve.

Wandoo Ihyembe-Hassan, Asset Manager, Oando Energy Resources, spoke on innovative thinking, social/digital innovation, emphasising the premise of digital innovation and the ability for information to move at an unprecedented speed, which presents a unique opportunity for innovation.

The participants then had a session on project management where they engaged in team building activities that enabled them refine, restructure, plan and improve their project

from a simple idea to full scale implementation.

To achieve this, they engaged members of Oando’s corporate governance and Oando Foundation team members whose extensive experience and expertise provided the necessary tools to guide the entrants for the future rigours of their projects.

The finalists were required to apply what they learnt to create a pitch which they presented to the judging panel. The panelists included; Mary Omonoyan of Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Mr. Iyanuoluwa Bolarinwa of Civic Hive/BudgIT, Oluwafunmilayo Oguntoye, Governance Supervisor, Oando Trading, and Oghogho Aghimien, Governance Supervisor, Oando Plc.

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Italy’s Tecnimont Begins Repair of PH Refinery First phase to restore 60,000bd output in six months

Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday disclosed that it has resumed repair of its 210,000 barrels per day (bd) Port Harcourt refinery in Rivers State, using Milan-based Maire Tecnimont S.p.A. A statement from the corporation explained that the repair work would be done in phases, adding that the first phase of the rehabilitation will see it recover its production capacity up to 60,000bd within six months, starting from the end of March 2019.

It stated that the new development was part of its plan to ensure that Nigeria achieves local sufficiency in refined petroleum products.

While NNPC had only recently announced that its efforts to get private finance to repair the

refinery as well as two others in Kaduna and Warri failed on grounds of disagreement over commercial terms, the statement said the renewed revamp exercise was flagged off by its Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, at the premises of the refinery.

The statement issued by NNPC’s Group General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, the statement said that the revamp exercise came about 19 years after the last Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) exercise was done on the refinery built in 1965 and upgraded 1989.

It added that the revamp would be done by Maire Tecnimont S.p.A, in collaboration with its Nigerian affiliate, Tecnimont Nigeria, but didn’t disclose what it would cost the corporation in terms of financial commitment.

Also, the statement noted that

Maire Tecnimont S.p.A is listed on Milan Stock Exchange with interest in international engineering and construction, technology and licensing, as well as energy business development. It explained that the Tecnimont group had operations in 40 different countries, numbering about 50 operative companies with a workforce of about 5,500 employees.

Quoting Baru, the statement explained that at the end of the phase one of the repair, the refinery should be able to reach 60 per cent capacity utilisation.

The NNPC, it added, was engaging Eni/NAOC (Nigeria Agip Oil Company) as technical advisor to support the rehabilitation of the refinery, and would leverage Eni’s extensive

refinery supply chain network and warehouses to procure critical materials for the programme.

According to the statement, the first phase of the rehabilitation contract would run for six months, and will involve detailed integrity check and equipment inspection of the refinery beginning from the end of March, 2019.

“The integrity test comes as a forerunner to the second phase of the rehabilitation project which entails a comprehensive revamp of the complex aimed at restoring the refinery to a minimum of 90 per cent capacity utilisation.

“Subject to the successful completion of the integrity checks, phase two of the project would be executed on an Engineering Procurement Construction basis by

Tecnimont in collaboration with the original builders of the plant, JGC of Japan,” the statement said.

It quoted Antonio Vella, Chief Officer, Upstream of Eni, to have said on behalf of the contractors that all the companies involved would deploy all available modern resources to ensure effective upgrade of the plant.

Vella, reportedly stated that with the commitment of all parties involved, it was certain that NNPC would be able to celebrate the revamp of the refinery which would lead to its full capacity utilisation on schedule and in full safety.

Also, the statement quoted Branch Chairman of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN),

Mr. Odor Victor Ayiri, and his peer at the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Mr. Dibiah Joseph, to have said on behalf of the workers that they would support the revamp exercise.

NNPC said it had to abandon its earlier funding strategy for the repair due to onerous conditions demanded after more than 12 months of negotiations.

It noted that it has resolved to directly fund the repair from internal cash flows while it goes to the financial markets for debt financing, adding that it segmented the rehabilitation to begin with Port Harcourt refinery and then progress to Warri and Kaduna refineries using the same methodology.

Ex-NYSC DG Asks for Entitlement 35Years after Service Hammed Shittu in Ilorin After 35 years of compulsory retirement from the Nigerian Army, an octogenarian and former Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Colonel Peter Obasa (rtd), yesterday asked President Muhammadu Buhari to use his good offices to offset all its outstanding entitlements.

Obasa, who spoke with journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, said he had received no letter of dismissal from the Nigerian Army to have informed nonpayment of his entitlement.

According to him, “I made my appeal to the president in the name of Almighty God, in the names of all that are holy, in the names of all that are good, true and just, to give me justice of the type that will attract the approval of God.” The octogenarian, who presented a book titled: ‘House of Exile’, during the press conference, chronicled his experiences in 1984, his prison accounts, the country’s democracy and judiciary.

“The Federal Republic of Nigeria official gazette No 56 of November 6, 1986, under the Ministry of Defence, Nigerian Army officers, voluntary/ compulsory and dismissal page 1340 declares that I was compulsorily retired from the army. Under that condition, I should be entitled to my gratuity and pension. The Army has denied me both.

“They claim that I was dismissed. If that was the case, a letter to that effect would have been served on me, and the army would have withdrawn my officer’s sword, ceremonial dress, mess jacket and service suit. I received no letter, and I am still in possession of the items mentioned above.

“Like President Muhammadu Buhari, I am favoured by God. I fought through the tumultuous and terrifying period of my trial and more than seven years in incarceration, and I am here by the special grace of God to

ask for true justice. The world wrote me off, some claiming that I would not exit the jail house. How wrong they were.

God Almighty fights for the innocent,” he said.

Obasa described his trial by the Supreme Military Council (SMC) headed by General Muhammadu Buhari, as illegalities of 1984, saying the SMC promulgated decrees that had retroactive effect.

He said: “The laws were backdated by three years. This is immoral and illegal. The God of creation made laws which he handed over to Moses.

Those laws became effective from the time they were read to the Israelites.

“The SMC took over the roles of the executive, legislature and judiciary, the accuser, the prosecutor and the judge. This is illegal. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) condemned this and prohibited its members from appearing before the tribunals to defend accused persons.”

Obasa added: “The process of trial was gravely flawed.

Trials were in secret. The public was denied access to the tribunals and it was only when judgements were passed that the world became informed of the verdict.

“All statements from suspects were extracted under duress.

This is illegal.

“Accused persons were compelled long before trial began to sign away the contents of their accounts under duress by the same characters who came to testify at the tribunal that the accused willingly signed away everything. This is illegal.”

He stressed that “falsified documents (as exhibits) were brought into the tribunal by the Special Investigation Panel. This too is illegal.

“Accused people were incarcerated in solitary confinement, denied access to their family and prevented from reaching anything that would enhance their defence. This is illegal.”

HEALTH IS WEALTH…

L-R: Director, Dentistry Division, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Bola Alonge; Bollywood Actress, Adunni Ade; Ora Category Manager, Unilever, Mrs. Oluwaleke Salu; President, Nigerian Dental Association(NDA), Dr. Evelyn Eshikena; and Corporate Affairs and Sustainable Business Director, Unilever, Mrs. Soromidayo George, during World Oral Health Day 2019 Celebration in Lagos…recently

Finance Minister Appointed Board Chair of AU Peace Fund Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Africa Union (AU) yesterday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia appointed Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed as the chairperson of Board of Trustees of the AU Peace Fund.

The board has a fivemembership configuration, each representing a region on the continent as well as non African members (United Nations and

European Union) as international partners.

The Minister of Finance is representing the Western African sub-region on the Board.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the minister on Media and Communications, Mr. Paul Ella Abechi, Ahmed expressed appreciation and commitment towards achieving the agenda of the Special Fund.

The Protocol Relating to the African Union Peace and

Security Council (PSC) provides for the establishment of a Special Fund to be known as the Peace Fund with the objective of providing the necessary financial resources for peace support missions and other operational activities relating to peace and security in Africa.

The Peace Fund is an independent international fund for the prevention and management of conflicts, and the promotion of peace

in Africa.

The Board of Trustees was established by the Assembly of the Union in July 2016 to ensure strategic coherence, enhanced governance, and financial and administrative oversight of the Peace Fund.

The Peace Fund will finance three key priorities, including mediation and preventive diplomacy activities, institutional capacity requirements, and peace support operations.

Appeal Court Fixes March 25 for Judgment in Zamfara APC Candidates Tussle The Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division, yesterday fixed March 2, to deliver judgment in an appeal suit challenging the order of a Zamfara High Court, allowing the All Progressives Congress (APC) to field candidates in the 2019 elections.

The appeal was filed by Senator Kabiru Marafa, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) and 129 others, through his counsel, Mr. Mike

Ozekhome (SAN).

The lead counsel, relied on numerous citations, arguing that the State High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit, thereby the decision was null and avoid.

In his submission, counsel to respondents, Mr. Mahmud Magaji (SAN), urged the court to discountenance the submission and also relied on points in law.

The presiding judge, Justice Tom Yakubu,

adjourned the case to March 25 for judgment as the parties in the suit have exchanged and filed necessary correspondences according to stipulated rules.

A Zamfara State High Court had recognised the primary elections held by APC in the state and declared that INEC should accept the party’s candidates for the elections.

Unsatisfied with State High Court decision, the

appellants, approached the Appeal Court challenging the decision on the ground that the State High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit among others.

A similar case was instituted before the same appeal court by Aminu Jaji, a governorship aspirant and member representing Kauran Namoda/Birnin Magaji Federal Constituency and was dismissed after Jaji withdrew.

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Japan Emerges Nigeria’s Third Largest Donor with $1.4bn in 49 Years Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Japanese government has invested $1.4 billion as economic aids and donor funds in Nigeria between 1966 and 2015--a period of 49 years, making it Nigeria’s third highest donor country.

A document obtained yesterday from the Japanese Embassy in Abuja explained for instance, that since 1966, Japan spent $773 million to support Nigeria’s polio eradication project, and $459 million as grants since 1970 for economic projects such as improvement of Nigeria’s electricity network.

Equally, the sum of $180 million was made available for technical cooperation since 1972; over $64 million for humanitarian support to the North-east since 2013,and over $11 million on Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security projects (GGP) scheme since 1998.

The document, which was given to journalists during the grant contract signing ceremony for the disbursement of a fresh financial aid worth $558,455 (about N170 million) to five community-based projects across Nigeria, indicated that between this period, the fund was spent to help Nigeria grow her economy, support thenhealth system, and advance peace-keeping and the stability of the country’s North-east which has been under severe attacks by terrorist group, Boko Haram.

The document also indicated that as at 2016, the volume of trade between both countries was worth $1.157 billion, with Nigeria’s export to Japan standing at $839 million while Japan’s export to Nigeria was $318 million.

Nigeria, it noted, exported mostly liquefied natural gas (LNG) and sesame seeds to Japan which exported iron, steel, cars and machinery to Nigeria.

Notwithstanding, the

government of Japan, in its approval of $558,455 under the GGP to rice farmers from Nasarawa State, the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital; and a primary health care facility in Alimosho area of Lagos State, among others, explained that it was committed to helping Nigeria improve the livelihood of its people.

According to the Charge d’Affairs of Japan Embassy in Nigeria, Mr. Shigeru Umetsu, who signed the grant contracts with the implementing partners of the five selected projects, Japan would be hoping that the assistance will contribute to the improvement of health care service delivery, enhance agricultural productivity, as well as and strengthen the friendly relations between it and Nigeria.

“The government of Japan has been working to support the improvement of the lives of people in Nigeria. Under the scheme, Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), we aim to tackle urgent social-economic problems at the community level. From 1998 till 2018, we implemented 164 projects across Nigeria, with a total amount of approximately $11 million.

“For the fiscal year of 2018, in addition to 164 projects, we selected six high prospect projects among several other proposals to date. Last month, we already signed a grant contract with Nigerian Farmcraft Centre for the Blind which is a division of the federal ministry of women affairs and social development. Today, we will be signing another five grant contracts making a total of 170 projects in the 20 year history of GGP in Nigeria.

“We shall be signing five projects at this grant contract signing ceremony, with a total grant amount of $558,455.

The projects were adopted based on their impact on the

Zola Electric Partner Sterling Bank to Boost Renewable Energy Hamid Ayodeji and Esther Oluku A renewable energy tech company, Zola Electric Nigeria, in partnership with Sterling Bank has announced a partnership to launch its solar power solution in April, which would provide clean and reliable energy, and boost the energy sector of the country.

The Chief Executive Officer, Zola Electric, Bill Lenihan, in a media briefing with journalists yesterday in Lagos, disclosed that insufficient and instability of energy is the biggest problem facing the Nigerian economy.

Lenihan said: “The company is determined to generate reliable energy that is built for purpose, autonomous, affordable, smart and scalable. This product is proposed to be long-term, lasting the span of 30 years.

He also explained that Sterling Bank would use its resources to help market the

solution to customers across the country, and invest funds for the production of the solar energy-powered system.

In his remarks, Chief Executive Officer, Sterling Bank, Abubakar Sulieman said, “the time for clean energy is now, given that developing countries cannot become developed by using the same sources of energy used in the past that has become destructive to the environment.

“As part of the tripod of saving our world, providing clean energy and providing employment for our people is a solution that is unique.”

He also explained that as a means of increasing employment, Nigerians would be trained to install and maintain the clean energy solution.

Sulieman added, “This solution was generated from years of research that has been tested and proven to transform the clean energy sector of the country for better.”

selected communities as well as the partners’ preparedness to implement them,” Umetsu said.

Giving a breakdown of the grant, Umetsu explained that the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital will get $155,877 to procure medical equipment to address infant and maternal mortality; $135,630 given to Development Africa to install solar power system for a family

care medical centre in Elegushi area of Lagos, while Amachara community in Afikpo area of Ebonyi State will get $89,285 to procure a solar-powered system for its health and education resource centre.

The other two beneficiaries, he stated, were for the improvement of a primary health care facility in Alimosho area of Lagos by Street-to-School Initiative which

got $89,106 for this purpose, and $88,557 given to the Nasarawa Agricultural Development Programme (NADP) to provide reapers and thrashers for rice farmers in Awe, Obi, and Keana Local Government Areas of the state, to improve their rice production and reduce food losses.

“We hope that these projects will enhance the quality of life in the benefiting communities,

and make maximum contributions towards the development of the nation.

“Japan is strongly committed to supporting Nigeria’s economic and social development as declared at the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI), and these projects are part of our commitment,” Umetsu added.

BUSINESS ON THEIR MINDS…

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (right), and Andrew Nevin of PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), after a business meeting at Government House, in Benin City, Edo State…yesterday

EU,TI Launch Anti-money Laundering Tracker for Nigeria, Others Kasim Sumaina in Abuja In a bid to curb money laundering (ML) and illicit financial flows (IFFs), the European Union (EU) and Transparency International (TI), in collaboration with the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) on Thursday officially launched the anti-money laundering tracker for Nigeria and other West African countries.

The launch is part of project, “Turning up the Pressure: Tackling Money Laundering through Multi Stakeholder Approaches in ECOWAS Countries.”

The head of TI in Nigeria and Executive Director, CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, while speaking the launch in Abuja, disclosed that the tracker will

highlight the fact that money laundering is a cancer that dries out the resources from a rich continent stricken by poverty and deprivation.

Rafsanjani, who was represented

by Adeshina Oke, stated that around US$1 trillion of illicit financial flows leave developing countries through companies with hidden ownership, according to the Financial Transparency Coalition.

He observed that due to loopholes, most African assets, legally and illegally obtained, “end up in tax havens, anonymous shell companies in exotic places or countries with sophisticated financial and banking systems.”

While admitting that the current administration of President,

Muhammadu Buhari had made for some progress in tackling IFFs and money laundering, Rafsanjani pointed out that the problem of investigating, prosecuting and sanctioning money laundering, especially politically-exposed persons still persist.

He said: “This is a cog in the wheel of our AML regime. It also puts to question the effectiveness of our lawenforcement institutions, efficiency of feedback mechanisms, interagency cooperation and the level of transparency of our financial institutions. I believe that this problem is not specific to Nigeria.

“I hope that the launch of the online tool, supported by the European Union through the Transparency International

Secretariat in Berlin, designed to monitor in real time the level of implementation of AML recommendations and commitments by the West African governments will contribute to the remedy of the epidemic of African assets leaving Africa illegally,” he said.

Similarly, Jessica Ebrard of the Transparency International (TI), at the launch, revealed that money laundering and illicit financial flows, negatively impact many developing economies.

She noted that it was therefore imperative to access the preventive and punitive measures and the effectiveness and level of compliance to those measures.

BUA, Wartsila Oy of Finland Sign 48MW Power Project for Sokoto Line 3 Jonathan Eze BUA Group has signed a contract with Wartsila Oy of Finland for the construction of a 48 megawatt power plant for its Sokoto Cement line 3 in Sokoto State.

This is coming two months after BUA announced that it has signed a contract with the world renowned cement manufacturing company, CBMI, for the construction of a new cement line in the state.

At the signing ceremony which took place in Lagos

on Wednesday, the Executive Chairman/CEO of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, signed on behalf of the group while the Head of Africa, Wartsila Oy, Magnus Miemois, signed for the multinational company which provide services for power suppliers, marine, cement and mining industries.

In his remarks, Rabiu disclosed that BUA was attracted by the incredible track record of Wärtsilä, which has provided 1,000 megawatt of power in Africa and has 70 GW of installed power plant capacity in 177 countries around the world.

The BUA chief, who expressed confidence in the construction of the ultramodern power plant, said Sokoto Cement lines, when combined now, has a total of about 100 megawatt of power captive.

According to Rabiu, “We can’t compromise on our quality. We are known to provide quality products and services to our customers, and we are assured that Wartsila aligns with this vision of ours. They have an impeccable and intimidating track record, and we are confident that they will deliver

on their mandate.

BUA is the Nigeria’s second largest cement producer by volume with key focus on solidifying its leadership positions in the Northwest, South-south and South-east markets as well as the export markets in West Africa.

The company’s current cement assets include the 6 million MTPA Obu Cement I and II plants in Okpella, Edo State, and CCNN 1.5million MTPA Kalambaina Cement Plant as well as 500,000tpa Sokoto Cement Plants.

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Clearing Agents Threaten to Shutdown Ports over Multiple Checkpoints Eromosele Abiodun There may be an imminent disruption of activities at the Lagos ports as angry freight forwarders operating in the Western Zone of the ports have issued a 72- hour ultimatum to the federal government to call the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col Hameed Ali (rtd), to order and address the multiplication of Customs task forces at the ports.

The customs agents threatened that if the situation is not reversed by Monday, the freight forwarders in the western zone will withdraw their services.

At a joint press briefing held in Apapa yesterday, various associations which included the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA); National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) and National Council of Managing Directors of Licenced Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), lamented that the Customs boss had allegedly deployed a team from Abuja to checkmate activities of the various commands.

The freight forwarders identified 10 various units of customs constituting bottlenecks inside the port; some of them, they disclosed to journalists include CG Strike force, compliance team, Federal Operations Unit Monitoring, Special Force, CG task force, information team, customs police, among others.

The agents added that the latest development which spiked tension in the port was the recent deployment of a special team from Abuja to inspect third party cargoes at the port.

Speaking at the meeting, Tin Can chapter Chairman of ANLCA, Prince Segun Oduntan, said the CG committee was sent to Apapa port last week Thursday under the guise of inspecting some third party containers.

He however said the team has taken over the job of resident customs officers.

Oduntan claimed that cargoes are now being detained inside the ports while agents are made to pay exorbitant demurrage to terminal operators, stressing that 24 -hour cargo clearance is now a mirage as a result of this anomaly.

Also speaking, Western Zone Coordinator of NAGAFF, Alhaji Tanko Ibrahim, said agents have complained to the Customs area comptrollers who appeared powerless, and subsequently directed the operators to channel their complaints to the CG in Abuja.

Tanko alleged that “last week, we saw officers from Abuja who said they were sent to the terminals to inspect some third party containers.

But since then, they have remained permanent inside the port.

“They now randomly select ‘C’ numbers of containers and after cargoes have been

Jibrin Tips Lawan as Next Senate President Martins Ifijeh The senator representing Kano North senatorial district, Barau Jibrin has tipped the leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Caucus in the red chambers, Ahmed Lawan as the next senate president.

He said by May 29, 2019, Lawan would become the longest serving lawmaker in the ninth Senate; a feat he said qualifies him to be elected next senate president, since it is an international parliamentary practice worldwide for longest serving lawmakers to lead their assemblies.

In a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday, Jibrin, who is also the Chairman Senate Committee on TETFUND, said in parliaments all over the world, presiding officers of assemblies were elected based on their experiences as leaders of the caucuses of the various assemblies.

He said: “When a party secures a majority after a general election into an assembly, the leader of the caucus of such a party in the assembly transforms to be the president or speaker of such an assembly in a process devoid of any rancour. The practice is adopted because of the precept of the more you stay in the assembly, the more experienced you are.

“Hence, the president of the ninth Senate should be Senator

Lawan from Yobe State as he is the leader of the APC Caucus in the current 8th Senate.”

He emphasised that Lawan, who is a PhD holder, will by May 29 gotten uninterrupted 20 years experience as a legislator(1999- 2019) in the National Assembly, adding that he did eight years in the House of Representatives and currently doing 12 years in the Senate.

Jibrin said: “The parliament as a unique arm of government all over the world thrives on experienced parliamentarians providing leadership in order to give purposeful direction to the other arms of government and the society at large.

“An added advantage for the emergence of Lawan as our next president is that the APC got its second highest votes from the North-east geopolitical zone where he hails from. The highest votes came from the North-west where President Muhammadu Buhari hails from,” the lawmaker said.

He called on other senators-elect to toe his line of reasoning by following international best parliamentary practices in the election of Lawan as the number three man in the country come May 2019.

released, they would ask you to reposition it for examination, and we are made to pay for re-examination.”

On his part, Chairman of Tin Can chapter of NAGAFF, Azubuike Ekweozor, lamented the activities of shipping companies and terminal operators in addition to the excesses of Customs.

He complained that vessels coming into Nigeria

to discharge containers were supposed to return with the same number of empty containers, but rather than obey this law, the vessels carry export to other countries.

In the same vein, the Apapa chapter Chairman of NAGAFF, Ndubuisi Uzoegbo, urged the Customs CG to build trust in his officers on the field.

He stated that freight forwarders should be carried along by the Customs whenever they make policies affecting their operations.

Uzoegbo, said: “Many containers have been abandoned in Apapa because of high tariffs and demurrage from shipping companies and terminal operators, most offices in Apapa today are empty, and shipping

companies have forced many of our colleagues back to the village.

“Vice President Yemi Osinbajo should come over and address all these issues; he is the one in charge of Ease of Doing Business. When Okonjo Iweala was there as the coordinating minister, she came to the port on physical inspection and she addressed us.”

A NEW PARTNERSHIP…

L-R: Head, Renewable Energy, Strategy & Innovation, Sterling Bank Plc, Adesola Alli; Chief Executive Officer, Zola Electric, Bill Lenihan; Chief Executive, Sterling Bank Plc, Abubakar Suleiman; and Managing Director, Zola Electric Nigeria, Abdallah Khamis, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Zola Electric and Sterling Bank Plc in Lagos SUNDAY ADIGUN

Acting CJN Swears-in More Tribunal Members Alex Enumah in Abuja The Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, has sworn in the last batch of justices that would adjudicate in matters that are expected to emanate from the conduct of the 2019 general elections.

According to a statement by the Director, Press and Information, Supreme Court of Nigeria, Dr Festus Akande, the members who were sworn

in Thursday in Abuja, were admonished to be of good character and endeavor to live above board, “as all eyes are on them with a view to seeing them dispense justice without a tinge of partiality or favoritism.”

Justice Muhammad, however, harped on the sacred nature of the oath they had just taken, stressing that it has become a bond between them and their creator, as no room would be given for excuses

or any performance below approved standards.

The statement said the 13 new tribunal members were thoroughly examined and chosen from the numerous judges in the country who are equally eminently qualified for the task.

Justice Muhammad, accordingly, charged them to protect themselves and the dignity that the Almighty God has selectively given to them to serve the country at this

enviable but challenging level.

The members include, Justices A.O. Onovo, R.O. Odugu, S.B. Belgore, T.A.O. Oyekan-Abullai, A.J. Coker, and E.I. Oritsejafor.

Others are Justices M.C. Okoh, O.S. Olusanya, C.A. Ononeze-Madu, P.U. Nnodum and J.C.L. Okibe.

Meanwhile, two members could not attend the ceremony. They are Justices I.O. Kasali and M.O. Obadina.

NPC Demarcates II2 LGAs in 36 States Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo The National Chairman of National Population Commission (NPC), Hassan Bashir, yesterday contended that the commission has so far demarcated over 112 local government areas in all the 36 states of the federation and the

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the previous Enumeration Areas Demarcation EAD exercises.

Speaking yesterday in Ile-Ife, Osun State, on the commencement of the fieldwork for the continuation of the enumeration areas demarcation, Bashir, who was represented by the

National Federal Commissioner, representing Osun State, Senator, Mudashiru Husain, noted that the Enumeration Areas Demarcation would commence and take place in one LGA in each of the 23 selected states of the federation.

He stressed that the states are those with the latest set of

Federal Commissioners sworn in

by President Muhammad Buhari.

The chairman opined that at the end of the Enumeration Areas Demarcation (EAD), the commission would have successfully demarcated in all 135 LGAs while the remaining 639 LGAs will be covered in the

Nigeria Imports N8.5tn Drilling Rigs from India Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Drilling rigs and other accessories worth over N8.5 trillion were shipped to Nigeria

by Indian companies between 2008 and 2019 without adding to the GDP and the capacity of the counyry.

This revelation was made on Thursday by the National

Coordinator of the Agro- Rural Water Supply Support Initiative (A-RUWASSI) Micheal Ale, during the media workshop to mark the 2019 World Water Day, organised by the Department of Rural Development of Ministry of Agriculture..

Ale lamented that the huge sum spent on importing drilling rigs was of benefit to another country, a development that

has left many young Nigerians, whose capacities were initially built on bore hole drilling profession to turn to quick cash making ventures and other mean jobs.

He also said that while local drill fabricators were displaced, Indian companies got their tactics spot on by offering naïve Nigerians cheap and substandard services devoid of accurate and

sustainable standard.

“After a while, the local borehole industry in Nigeria began to die and many of our big operators got their business liquidated. Almost 95 percent of local drilling business failed and its multiplier effect is that capacity that has been built in this business line are left behind, while such opportunities were created more for India country,” Ale said.

T H I S D AY Ëž MARCH 22, 2019

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Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x161; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Duro Ikhazuagbe Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013; duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

AFCON 2019 QUALIFIER: NIGERIA V SEYCHELLES

Ahmed Musa Says EaglesWill Play for Pride Duro Ikhazuagbe Stand-in Captain of the Super Eagles, Ahmed Musa yesterday aptly summed up todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dead-rubber 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Nigeria and Pirates of Seychelles as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Battle of Pride.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, we have qualified already (for AFCON 2019), but there is something called pride. And also, we need to be in the mood for the match against Egypt, and again take this as part of the preparation for the Cup of Nations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Cup of Nations is less than three months away so our preparation has already started. The bigger picture is the thing,â&#x20AC;? observed the Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia forward shortly after Eagles last training session for todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clash with Seychelles at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.

Of course, after picking one of the tickets of the Group E way back in November last year through the 1-1 draw with South Africa in Johannesburg, Super Eagles have nothing to worry against the Pirates of Seychelles who are at the bottom of the table.

In reality, the fixture is nothing more than fulfilling the final

day fixtures of the AFCON 2019 qualifiers!

However, like Musa rightly pointed out, Super Eagles preparations for the African football fiesta scheduled to hold in June in the land of the Pharaohs has started with this game.

It will be an opportunity for team handler, Gernot Rohr to assess his wards before the Grade-A international friendly with seven-time African champions Egypt scheduled for Tuesday at the same Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.

In the first leg fixture away in Mahe Island last September, goals by Ahmed Musa (a rocket from his weaker left foot), defender Chidozie Awaziem and Odion Ighalo sealed a 3-0 win and kept the Eagles in the hunt for the ticket to the 2019 AFCON. Wins over Libya home and away and the draw in South Africa took Nigeria to 10 points and the ticket to the finals.

Libyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mediterranean Knights, who are involved in the other match of the group against South Africa in Tunisia, incinerated the Pirates 8-1 right in the same MahĂŠ Island in one of the group matches. That remains the highest-score win of the entire qualifying series.

Will Eagles attempt to surpass

Fierce Battle Loading for the FinalTenTickets Already Qualified Teams: r&HZQU r$PUF E *WPJSF r(IBOB r/JHFSJB r"MHFSJB r.PSPDDP r5VOJTJB r4FOFHBM r(VJOFB .BMJ r6HBOEB r,FOZB r.BEBHBTDBS r.BVSJUBOJB The 24 countries to play at the Total 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt will be known at the end of this weekend when the final round of qualifiers are played across the continent.

While some slots have already been taken before the final round of qualifiers, several others are still to be decided as some groups are delicately poised with plenty to play for in the matches scheduled to begin today through Sunday.

The final ten places for the competition will be decided as Burundi, Comoros and Lesotho will be chasing history by grabbing their places in Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flagship competition for the first time, following in the footsteps of Madagascar and Mauritania.

This means 14 countries have already qualified for the competition going into the final round of matches with several heavyweights sealing their places in advance.

Seven-time champions Egypt, Cote dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal BT XFMM BT (VJOFB .BMJ 6HBOEB Kenya and the two newcomers to have already confirmed their places.

However, some of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top sides like Cameroon, DR Congo, Burkina Faso, Gabon and Congo have all to do in the final round of matches.

The match between Cameroon and the Comoros will decide who joins already-qualified Morocco from Group B as Malawi are

unable to go through.

In Group G all the four teams have got a chance of qualifying with DR Congo hosting Liberia while Congo travel to Harare to face Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe lead the group with eight points, one ahead of Liberia while DR Congo and Congo have six and five points respectively.

Group K is also wide open as three sides are battling for the two slots. Guinea Bissau and Namibia have eight points each with Mozambique on seven points. Os Mambas will make a trip to Bissau while Namibia travels to Zambia who cannot qualify.

With Mali taking Group Câ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first ticket, a fierce battle will take place when Burundi welcomes Gabon with the hosts needing just a draw to qualify for the first time. Burundi are second with 9 points while their opponents are two points adrift in third place.

Another tough assignment is in Group I where Angola (9 points) and Burkina Faso (7 points) will slug it out for last ticket.

Angolaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Palancas Negras travel to face Botswana while Burkina Faso host Mauritania who have already qualified.

Also in a similar position in Group D where Algeria have already secured their place which leaves Benin (seven points) battling Gambia and Togo, with five points each, for the other slot.

Three teams will also be battling for Group Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s remaining slot as Tanzania, Lesotho and Cape Verde all have a chance of RVBMJGZJOH XJUI 6HBOEB BMSFBEZ sealing their place.

With Nigeria taking Group Eâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first ticket, South Africa must

Super Eagles are battle-ready to whip Seychelles today in last AFCON 2019 game in Asaba

the record set by the Libyans against the Pirates today? Even if that is not the priority of Musa and his colleagues, fans should be ready for an afternoon of goal feast.

Cape Verde official Fabricio Duarte is centre referee for todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s match. His compatriot, Jose Carlos Alexandre Pina Mendes is the assistant referee 1, with Delgade Fernandes Wilson Jorge as assistant referee 2 and

GROUP E Team 1Nigeria 2 Sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Africa 3 Libya 4 Seychelles

P 5 5 5 5

W 3 2 2 0

D 1 3 1 1

Delgado Rocha Lenine as fourth official.

Before the high-profile Nigeria versus Egypt game,

Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s U-19 Cricket Team One Match Away from World Cup A win on Saturday for Nigeria against Sierra Leone will seal the fate of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Junior Yellow Greensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s place at the 2020 Cricket World Cup. After returning unscathed for the fourth straight time against Tanzania yesterday with a huge 151 runs, the sole World Cup ticket is there for Nigeria to pick.

Riding on its spectacular form at the qualifier, the Nigerian team has dispatched host Namibia, top-rated sides, Kenya BOE 6HBOEB CFGPSF EJTNJTTJOH Tanzania at the Wanderers Cricket ground in Windhoek yesterday.

Tanzania had won the toss and elected to field first thereby sending in Nigeria to bat for the 4th consecutive time in this tournament. Elijah Olaleye and Runsewe Suleimon opened the bating with a comfortable display of 97 runs partnership in 30.1 overs before Suleimon fell for 43 runs off 89 balls.

Danladi Isaac scored 31 runs of 40 balls as well.

Elijah Olaleye, yet again

FRIDAYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FIXTURES

AFCON 2019 QUALIFYING TABLE

produced a sublime display of bating prowess to hit 110 runs off 153 balls unbeaten in 50 overs.

Nigeria recorded their highest batting total in the tournament thus far with 211 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in 50 overs.

In the second innings, the bowling attack of the junior yellow Greens was too strong for the Tanzania team to contain with wickets falling at intervals. Captain Sylvester Okpe topped the onslaught with 4 wickets for 19 runs in 8.2 overs with an economy of 2.28 with Peter Aho coming to the party with 3 wickets, 3 maidens and conceded 7 runs with an economy of 0.87, while left hand seamer, Mohammed Taiwo got with 2 wickets.

Nigeria eventually restricted Tanzania to 60 runs all out in 27.2 overs Olaleye Elijah was named Man on the Match with his 110 runs.

Nigeria won by 151 runs.

L 1 0 2 4

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GD 6 8 6 20

Pts 10 9 7 1

/JHFSJB 6OEFS TRVBE UIBU was subdued 2-0 in Tunisia on Wednesday afternoon in Tunisia will on Monday seek

Nigeria Vs Seychelles (4:00pm) Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Faso Vs Mauritania (6:00pm) Botswana Vs Angola (6:00pm) Sudan Vs Eâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Giunea (6:00pm) Tunisia Vs Swaziland (7:15pm) Algeria Vs Gambia (8:45pm) to overturn the first leg loss to their Libyan counterparts JO B "GSJDB 6OEFS Cup of Nations qualifying first round fixture.

Golf: Odoh Jolts Musa, Wins NNPC GMDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup Ëž Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x201C; Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153; Olawale Ajimotokan Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; Andrew Oche Odoh holed a dramatic par chip on the 18th to secure victory at the NNPC GMDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup on a sun-drenched IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

The feat, received by a deafening roar, jolted Ayuba Musa, the 56-hole leader, who made costly errors on the last two holes to concede the tournament.

Odoh, who plays on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa, logged +7 over par 295 to claim the first official tournament on the 2019 schedule of the PGA Nigeria.

Sunday J. Odegha, who led through 36-hole, was one shot off the pace. The Minna- based player, in the penultimate group, birdied the 18th, and would have stretched the contest into a playoff, if Odoh had walked away from the hole with a bogey.

After his approach ended in the bunker to the right of the green, Odohâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sand wedge only nestled on the fringe. But his touch from

the apron was clean and ended inside the cup.

Musa lost the contest with a double bogey on 18th after his tee shot landed in the creek to the right of the hole.

Earlier on the 17th, he put his tee shot into a bamboo tree.

He bemoaned his meltdown, saying he was not made to win the tournament after trying his possible best. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sometime when you wake up the swing is not always the same and the movement of the course and also when you are not used to slow play, it affects your system. There was a slow-play by one of the players in my group and I had to adapt to the system which was not really my style of play.

The committee must find way of penalising slow play. Some people do it intentionally,â&#x20AC;? Musa fumed.

He noted that the tee box on the 17th was not in line, while on the 18th, he faced a sudden wind direction while trying to pet his ball, forcing it to slice.

Star Lager Backs Sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Eagles to Shine against Seychelles The first indigenous beer to be brewed in Nigeria, Star Lager, will from today in Asaba Delta State celebrate with passionate fans as Super Eagles look set to shine in the last Africa Cup of Nation (AFCON) qualifying match against Seychelles at the Stephen Keshi International Stadium. Star Lager beer, the official beer of the Super Eagles thrill passionate football fans in and around Asaba, at the famous

Fan Park located outside the stadium during the match. Aside the AFCON qualifying match, Star Lager will also thrill fans at the same ground on Tuesday when seven-time African Champions Pharaohs of Egypt engage Eagles in a high profile International friendly. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As an official partner of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Nigerian Breweries Plc is solidly behind the Super Eagles to continue to conquer higher

grounds and we as a corporate organisation will continue to build a fan base for the team as Nigeria stages a comeback to the African Cup of Nations tournament,â&#x20AC;? the Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Emmanuel Oriakhi stated yesterday ahead of the matches.

Nigerian Breweries Plc through the Star Fan Park activation on match days of the national team has been able to restore a solid

fan base for the team similar to the passion Nigerian fans attach to major football clubs in the European leagues.

Since last year, the Star Fan Park has been the platform that unites Nigerian fans, offering consumers a range of premium live football experiences mixed with entertainment and fun with famous D J and prominent star artists on hand to add to the spice.

5 ) * 4 % ": t FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2019

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Friday, March 22, 2019

TR

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Price: N250

MISSILE Minister to APC “The president’s image is what keeps the party standing today as if there is any form of a party. Otherwise, by conduct we have lost every value of the initial concept which brought honour to the party.”

– Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani, saying the All Progressives Congress (APC) would have become a shadow of itself but for the image of President Muhammadu Buhari.

AKINOSUNTOKUN DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA

akin.osuntokun@thisdaylive.com

What is the Population of Nigeria?

T

he history of census in Nigeria is all but summed up in the following excerpt: ‘Attempts to conduct a reliable post-independence census have been mired in controversy, and only one was officially accepted. The first attempt, in mid-1962, was cancelled after much controversy and allegations of over-counting in many areas. A second attempt in 1963, which was officially accepted, also was encumbered with charges of inaccuracy and manipulation for regional and local political purposes. Indeed, the official 1963 figure of 55.6 million as total national population is inconsistent with the census of a decade earlier because it implies a virtually impossible annual growth rate of 5.8 per cent. After the civil war of 1967-70, an attempt was made to hold a census in 1973, but the results were cancelled in the face of repeated controversy. No subsequent nationwide census had been held as of 1990, although there have been various attempts to derive population estimates at a state or local level.

Most official national population estimates are based on projections from the 1963 Census’.

One of the more remarkable experiences I have had in my engagement with public life in Nigeria was the attempt to help weed out the phenomenon of ghost workers from the payroll figures of state governments. An ICT entrepreneur friend had developed a programme that can eliminate the incidence of this entrenched institutional fraud in the public account system. So sure was he of his product that he sought no payment other than commission from the potential savings-resulting from the application of the fraud detector programme. Talk of a win-win situation for the government, wouldn’t you think? Yet each and every state governor I approached turned it down. Pray what inference can we draw from this encounter other than the state government has a vested interest in maintaining a status quo he knows to be fraudulent and amenable to his personal exploitation.

Contemplating a confrontation with the challenge of ghost workers padded wage bill, a more conscientious governor was warned on the potential consequences of this quest, including defeat at the last governorship elections. He needed no further persuasion to drop the hot potato menu. You, of course, remember the exploits of the ill-starred Abdulrasheed Maina of the Pension and Biometric task force fame, the cat who was charged with the responsibility of ensuring the welfare and well-being of a colony of rats. This behaviour, the propensity to play fast and loose with population figures, is generalisable across all the levels of public authorities in Nigeria from the local government to the federal government level.

Ever since I can remember, efforts directed at inflating voter registration figures, census and any population enumeration exercise, at the local community levels are deemed a noble and highly appreciated obligation of community leaders. Typically, financial war chests are raised from donations of well to do indigenes dedicated to underwriting such expenses as giving the enumerators five star hospitability treatment and the monetisation of their criminal collusion in maximally forging the numbers. This typical Nigerian attitude towards census exemplifies the thesis of Peter

Buhari

Ekeh in ‘Colonialism and The Two Publics of Africa’-where committing a crime at the state (official) level to benefit one’s local community is accepted and celebrated behaviour at the informal primordial public (community) level as patriotic service to the community.

One peculiarity worth recounting in the perpetration of the census fraud is the enumeration of an infant as father or grandfather-to whom several descendants are then attributed. Up North, there is the logical and logistical impossibility of meaningfully accounting for the nomadic and bush Fulani population category. By definition, these are a category of Nigerians who mostly dwell in the bush and whose shifting abode varies from week to week if not on a daily basis.

Other than guess estimate, how amenable are such Nigerians to accurate enumeration? And since this nomadic subculture is a borderless

The latest accretion to the Nigerian universe of electoral subversion is the programmed suppression of the votes in the opposition stronghold reinforced by a complementary ballooning of votes cast in the stronghold of the incumbent President.

Where such manipulations are not proving fast and furious enough, recourse is then made to the outright alteration and falsification of the result tabulation

West African Sahel civilisation, how do you distinguish Nigerians from non-Nigerians? Yet it is all this cooked up figures and conjectures that are added together and summed up as the population of Nigeria.

Wards, local governments, federal constituencies and states are created and awarded on the basis of population distribution and density. These units and tiers of government are in turn the captive revenue and resources allocation sub heads. The more of them you have the greater the share of revenue you attract.

This status quo has severe implications for corruption and federalism. In a situation in which Nigeria largely lives on the unearned income of the economic rent from oil, it has fostered the ideology of consumption rather than development as the organising principle of the Nigerian state. The units of government are governed by the culture of consumerism and not the development ethic.

A rather apt and critical testimony to this ideology was borne by no less a pertinent authoritative figure than General Yakubu Gowon. And just how pertinent his witness can be was revealed in an extended interview he had with the Africa International Television (AIT) a while ago. ‘He said the North was originally opposed to the creation of states (which amounted to a break-up of the regions) in 1967 and he had to cajole the support of the region by marketing the policy as one that will result in the appropriation of more national resources to its coffers; that more states means more money’.

Falsification of population figures has proven a critical component to the perpetration and sustenance of corruption in Nigeria in a manner that is not readily discernable. If the population of Nigeria is significantly lower (as it is in reality) than the paraded official figure-on which planning and expenditure are predicated, it means Nigeria has persistently over provided for the citizens in its annual budget estimates-resulting in a hidden surplus that routinely disappears and leaks from the public accounting and expenditure system. In other words, it is a surplus that is not captured in the revenue and expenditure profile of Nigeria. The potential black hole into which the unaccountable money disappears is best imagined including the deep pockets of whoever belongs in the community of corrupt public and private sector players; and the notorious penchant of the Nigerian economy for leakages, waste and profligacy.

If (for instance) N200 billion is available to spend on 50 million Nigerians rather than an advertised figure of 100 million citizens, then there is an excess corresponding to what should have been spent on the non-existent 50 million Nigerians. The question then arises as to the wherewithal of the N100 billion net balance. In effect, in terms of the population to resources ratio, Nigeria is richer than the book balance. This has had the contradictory effect of cushioning the effect of corruption and fuelling it. If the advertised census figure of Nigeria is correct, there will be far greater citizen pressure on the resources available.

Beyond the resultant national development dysfunction of garbage in, garbage out-(rooted on falsified population figure), there is equally the international dimension-from where we get

more than we deserve. Think of the prestige and resources accruable to Nigeria on account of its purported large population. In the light of its factual population, Nigeria should, to that extent, attract lesser international recognition and patronage. For starters, Nigerians should lose the recognition of being cited as one in every five blacks.

The 2019 general election illustrate the extent to which Nigeria is held in thrall to the numbers game and specifically in the vulnerability of the elections to state sponsored manipulation and electoral theft. To begin with, the fraudulence of the voter register can be extrapolated from the preceding inherently fraudulent general census. In order to sustain an original lie, you will need to keep telling subsequent lies in a manner that is consistent with the logic of the first lie. A state (Lagos or Kano) that is attributed with the highest census will then have to be necessarily credited with the highest voting population regardless of whether this is the case in reality. The latest accretion to the Nigerian universe of electoral subversion is the programmed suppression of the votes in the opposition stronghold reinforced by a complementary ballooning of votes cast in the stronghold of the incumbent President. Where such manipulations are not proving fast and furious enough, recourse is then made to the outright alteration and falsification of the result tabulation. Hereunder is a more detached perspective on the last general election by The Guardian newspaper in London: ‘Voter registration documents seen by The Guardian in the United Kingdom on eve of election raise fears of mass rigging. The number of new voters registered in Nigeria since January 2018 has increased by almost exactly the same percentage in each of its states, according to documents seen and analysed by The Guardian, raising fears that the results of Saturday’s presidential election could be open to mass rigging. Since the last presidential election in 2015, many more people have become eligible to vote, and many others have registered to take part in the polls for the first time, according to a report by the UK Guardian’.

‘About 10 million new voters signed up between January 2018 and early 2019 – according to data released by the Independent National Electoral Commission– twice the number that signed up in the first nine months of registration, between April 2017 and January 2018. But analysis of the data for each of the country’s 36 states and its capital shows that INEC has increased the number of new registered voters by almost exactly the same percentage across all states.

The correlation is a “statistical impossibility” and does not reflect Nigeria’s demographic changes, according to data analysts working with The Guardian. Additional data seen by The Guardian also shows irregularities in registration for the 2015 election, until now considered to have been free and fair. On average, voter registration in each state increased by 2.2% between April 2017 and January 2018, and by 7.7 per cent for the whole registration period ahead of Saturday’s election. Plotted on a scatter line graph, there is a 0.99 correlation across all the states, without a single outlier.

According to three separate data analysts, the parity cannot be a coincidence. “Only God works that closely,” one analyst said’.

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